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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



PRINCE EUGENE 

THE NOBLE KNIGHT 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 



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T 



HE HERO OF ZENTA 



Life Stories for Young People 



PRINCE EUGENE 

THE NOBLE KNIGHT 

Translated from the German of 
L. Wurdig 

BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Author of ^'Musical Memories,''^ ^^ Standard Operas j'^ etc. 
Translator of " Memories, ^^ " Immensee," etc. 

WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS 




CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG i^ CO. 

1910 






Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 

1910 

Published September 24, 1910 



THE • PLIMPTOH • PRESS 

[W.D.O] 
MORWOOD . MASS • U • S • A 



©CLA273438 



%xan&latov's> preface 



THE story of the brilliant career of Eugene, 
generally known as Prince Eugene of Savoy, 
has its special lesson for youth. He was 
intended for the Church, but was ambitious for a 
military career. Louis the Fourteenth had marked 
out for him the profession of an abbe; but monarchs, 
even the most powerful, do not always dispose. 
When "the little Capuchin," as he was contempt- 
uously called, applied to that sovereign for a com- 
mission in the French army and was refused it, he 
shook the French dust from his feet and went to 
Austria, resolved that France some day should suffer 
for that refusal. The story shows how his resolu- 
tion was carried out. The Austrian Emperor gladly 
welcomed him. He rose from a subordinate position 
in the army to become one of the greatest generals 
of his time. All Europe felt the strength of the 
''little Capuchin's" arm. He was a born soldier 
and war was the passion of his life. His career, 
seems almost like an inspiration. He won battles, 
often against largely superior forces, by the rapidity 
and dash of his attacks, by a personal courage which 

[v] 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE 

never wavered, and by a magnetic influence which 
inspired the admiration of his own soldiers and fear 
among his enemies. He was in the field more than 
fifty years. The ten peaceful years of his life were 
devoted to literature and the arts; but the battle- 
field was the scene of his life's success. The story 
which his life has for youth is the result which may 
be accomplished, not merely on battle-fields, but in 
every department of action, by determined purpose, 
resolute will, and tireless industry. The "little 
Capuchin" spurned the ease and comfort and luxury 
of an ahhe for the rough fare of the soldier, and made 
himself the foremost general of his time by the exer- 
cise of these qualities. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, July^ 1910. 



[vi] 



Contents 



CHAPTER PAGE 

Prologue . . xi 

I The Little Capuchin 13 

II The Siege of Vienna 27 

III Turkish Campaigns ....... 37 

IV The Battle of Zenta 48 

V War of the Spanish Succession ... 57 

VI Blenheim 79 

VII The Italian Campaign 93 

VIII Malplaquet loi 

IX Eugene at Belgrade 11^ 

X Last Days 129 

Appendix 14^ 



[vii] 



JiUustrattong 



The Hero of Zenta Frontispiece 

Prince Eugene before King Louis the 

Fourteenth 22 

Prince Eugene before the battle of 

Malplaquet 112 

Prince Eugene at Belgrade 124 



[ix] 



I^rologue 

PRINCE EUGENE, the great warrior and states- 
man, although scion of an Italian family, and 
by birth a Frenchman, became a thorough 
German. He appeared at a critical time in the rela- 
tions between Germany and France, to save his 
adopted fatherland from destruction, and to illumi- 
nate the darkest period of German history with the 
glory of a series of the most splendid and heroic 
achievements. The historian Von Sybel calls him 
"the greatest general and statesman of Austria." As 
a statesman he overtops the greatest of his successors, 
Kaunitz and Stadion. As a general he fills a place, 
chronologically and in rank, just between Gustavus 
Adolphus and Frederick the Great. He was a dash- 
ing hero and at the same time possessed a sym- 
pathetic nature. He was a genial companion, a 
conscientious patriot, a master in politics, and an 
upright man. Wherever he appeared he charmed. 
Although a born Frenchman of Italian stock, he 
showed truer German feeling and spirit than most 
of the Austrian leaders. He was one of those char- 
acters whom any nation might be proud to possess. 
He served the Austrian imperial house for fifty- 
three years, thereby contributing to the glory of 
the country. 

[xi] 



^xintt €mmt, tl)e j]5oble Stmgljt 



Chapter I 
The Little Capuchin 



PRINCE EUGENE of Savoy-Carlgnan, the hero 
of this story, takes foremost rank among the 
greatest generals and statesmen of all times. 
This strange French-sounding name may seem odd 
for a German hero; but in this case it is quite mis- 
leading, for no one ever had deeper German sym- 
pathies; no German soldier ever hated the people 
on the banks of the Seine more bitterly. He gave 
them plenty of hard blows, and has been christened 
by the German people — and not without reason — 
"Prince Eugene, the chivalrous knight." 

Prince Eugene was born in Paris, although his 
ancestral land was Savoy, the well-known duchy, 
formerly part of upper Italy, a barren mountainous 
country. He first saw the light in the capital city 
of that country which was afterwards to suifer so 
cruelly by his mailed hand. The ways of Provi- 

[13] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



dence often seem strange, as in this instance, when 
in the heart of France the man was born who was to 
teach France and the Frenchmen respect for the 
Germans. France had ever been arrogant toward 
Germany, and was particularly so at that time and 
until, in 1813-14-15 and later in 1870 and 1871, she 
was taught a wholesome lesson. 

And now I must tell you how Prince Eugene came 
to be born in Paris. In the first half of the seven- 
teenth century Prince Thomas Francis of Savoy, 
youngest son of the reigning Duke Charles Emanuel 
the First, founded the collateral line of the house 
of Savoy-Carignan. His wife was Marie of Bour- 
bon, sister and heiress of the last Count of Soissons; 
his two sons, Emanuel Philibert and Eugene Maurice. 
The latter took the title of Count of Soissons and 
married Olympia Mancini, a niece of the notorious 
French minister, Mazarin. From this marriage 
sprang three daughters and five sons, of whom Prince 
Eugene was the youngest. 

History tells us that Prince Eugene's father was 
a man of gracious manners and of a brave and genial 
disposition. He distinguished himself in feats of 
arms, and was therefore a favorite at the court of 
King Louis the Fourteenth of France. Eugene's 
mother was a beautiful woman and very fond of the 
gay life of the time; to her all the homage was ren- 
dered that feminine beauty and wit were wont to 

[14] 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



receive at the brilliant court of "His Most Christian 
Majesty." * 

The palace of Count Eugene Maurice of Soissons 
was situated upon the site where the great Grain 
Market of Paris now stands. If one of my readers 
should happen to visit that city he may look upon 
the spot and meditate upon the instability of all 
earthly things. f This palace had a long, memorable, 
and brilliant history. In the fourteenth century 
it was the property of King John of Bohemia, of 
the house of Luxembourg; it next served as the 
cloister of a sect of expiatory nuns and later passed 
into the hands of the notorious Catherine de Medici, 
who furnished it in all the extravagant taste of the 
time. It stood in the midst of splendid gardens, 
embellished with fountains and colonnades; and in 
the interior of the park was a chapel of truly royal 
magnificence. It may be, that in this sacred spot 
Catherine de Medici, mother of that m^onster, Charles 
IX, may have conceived the idea, for the advance- 
ment and honor of her church, of the Paris massacre. 
It was in this palace that Eugene was born, October 
1 8, 1663, one hundred and fifty years before the great 
battle of Leipzig, a victory which broke the power of 
the first Napoleon over Germany. This date, which 

* Formerly one of the titles of the King of France. 

t Since the powerful emperor of united Germany keeps guard upon 
the Rhine, France may no longer forbid any of our countrymen her 
dominions. 



[15] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the year 1813 made a memorable one for Germany, 
would seem more suitably marked in our calendars 
by the name of "Eugene" or "Lebrecht" rathe, than 
by that of some saint. 

Before we concern ourselves with Eugene or his 
parents, let us finish the history of the palace of 
Soissons. For almost a century it remained in the 
hands of the family. Then a dishonest Scot by the 
name of Law founded a bank in Paris, which soon 
became bankrupt, beggaring many thousands of the 
well-to-do citizens. At last the city of Paris bought 
the ill-fated building in order to erect on the site 
of so much crime and sin, wild lust and miserable 
treachery, a very practical building, the above- 
mentioned Grain Market, thereby to wipe out the 
dark past. 

Eugene's cradle stood in the midst of gay and luxu- 
rious surroundings. The palace of Soissons was the 
resort of the flower of the French nobility. Brilliant 
fetes, in which the King never failed to be among 
the guests, followed one another, and the youthful 
mistress, the beautiful Italian, Olympia Mancini, 
was the flower of them all. At last the magnet lost 
its power, as it is ever prone to do where court life 
is subject to the moods and caprices of a tyrannical 
ruler. Intrigues were set on foot against the Count 
and Countess of Soissons; their powerful relative, 
the minister Mazarin, had long been dead, and both 

[16] 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



of them were banished from the court by a royal 
decre' dated March 30, 1665, and ordered to their 
country estates. One can imagine the feehngs of 
Olympia particularly, who had been the petted 
favorite and ornament of the royal court for years. 
She shed no vain tears over her fate, however, but 
cherished in her heart a thirst for revenge. She 
now hated with a deadly hatred the King whom 
she had loved and honored, and this sentiment she 
inculcated in her children. This seed, hatred of the 
house of Bourbon and particularly of the King, fell 
in good soil. Her son Eugene preserved this heritage 
from his mother throughout his whole life. 

Eugene was ten years old when his father suddenly 
died. After this blow, fortune seemed utterly to 
forsake the Countess. In order to retrieve it, she 
was ready to seize on any means, even the most 
unworthy. She studied astrology and fortune tell- 
ing, and in this way became associated with a person 
named Voisin, who was finally prosecuted as a poi- 
soner. Just in time Olympia, learning that she was 
to be arrested as an accomplice, fled to Flanders. 
But even abroad, in Brussels, she was pursued by 
the hatred of her former friends. It was Louis's 
minister Louvois particularly who heaped insults 
upon her. 

For the honor of Eugene's mother, the Countess 
of Soissons, it must be said that the totally unfounded 

[17] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



rumors against her were at last silenced. Not a 
trace of complicity with the crime of the Voisin 
woman has been discovered. The talented Countess 
soon made many influential friends in Brussels. Her 
salon became very popular, and these social triumphs 
somewhat compensated for the wrongs suffered in 
Paris. 

At the time of her flight the Countess had left 
her children with the mother of her deceased husband, 
the Princess of Carignan. Their grandmother sought 
to give them a good education and to provide for 
their future. Four of her grandsons v/ere already in 
the army, three in France, and one, Julius, in the 
German imperial service; but she had difliculties 
with Eugene, the fifth and youngest. In short, 
Eugene was intended for the priesthood, but was 
determined to become a soldier instead. Of princely 
birth, as a member of the clergy, his future would 
have been secure; in time he might have enjoyed 
fat revenues, and sometime and somewhere have 
occupied a bishop's seat. This goal might have 
tempted many of his rank, but it was not so with 
him. He might also have entered into service at 
court and would probably have prospered out- 
wardly there, but with his nature and talents how 
unhappy he would have been if thus misplaced ! The 
mere thought of becoming a courtier and toady of 
his French majesty, the "Most Christian King," who 
[i8] 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



was as bigoted as he was godless, treacherous, and 
unjust; who had driven Eugene's parents into ban- 
ishment and had heaped unjust suspicion, insult, and 
injury upon his mother, was repugnant to him. 

He was firmly resolved to become a soldier. In 
his earliest youth he had shown a pronounced, even 
unconquerable predilection for the profession, and 
had concentrated all his dreams and hopes and his 
whole education upon it. Mathematics had always 
been his favorite study. With resolute purpose he 
had applied himself to the study of geometry under 
a friend of Vauban, the great French master of forti- 
fications, whose excellent buildings, walls, moats, 
redoubts, lunettes, and bastions , caused German 
soldiers trouble enough, even in the last war. His 
favorite book was the life of Alexander, the great 
King of Macedonia, by Curtius; his principal models 
were Hannibal and Caesar. He would pore over 
every work on battles and sieges he could find, and 
his eyes glistened when he heard the clashing of 
weapons. Possessing such tastes and talents, there 
was but one insuperable obstacle to his becoming a 
soldier: he was of a very delicate physique and had 
been sickly in his early years. Although he persist- 
ently exercised and took every means to harden and 
toughen himself, his nature could not be altered, 
and to his great chagrin he remained small and 
delicate even when he had reached maturity. 

[19] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



"I shall be a soldier for all that," he often said 
with great determination to those who good na- 
turedly meant to discourage him, and then he would 
add: "but no carpet-knight or soldier on parade, 
like those who guard the Louvre day and night that 
His Majesty may sleep soundly, and who swagger 
about in gold and silver braid, conniving at the 
adventures of the princes and royal family. No! I 
wish to be a real soldier; one who is ready in the face 
of any hardship to do his sworn duty to the death." 

Here his good grandmother of the house of Bour- 
bon probably smiled and shook her finger in warn- 
ing; and no doubt her grandson answered her: "If 
it be God's will, you shall yet see me a field-marshal 
at the head of an army." 

It was useless to gainsay such a spirit as this. 
Eugene had a head of his own, as they say, and had 
quietly made up his mind to let time solve the 
problem. There was still another difficulty and a 
very serious one. The will of the King had destined 
the little fatherless boy, whom circumstances had 
also deprived of a mother's guidance, for the Church 
instead of the army. It is very likely that he thought 
that such an obstinate little princeling of the house 
of Savoy should not be allowed to have his own way, 
but must be taught to obey. 

We shall see what came to pass. Of course it 
was impossible to contend with a Louis the Four- 
[20] 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



teenth, for he had plenty of means for compeUing 
obedience. He had long ago made up his mind to 
break this youthful obstinacy and prevent Eugene 
from entering the French army. At last came the 
time when Eugene must decide. Through good 
friends he had several times tried to sound the King's 
disposition in the matter, and always with discour- 
aging results. Eugene, whom the King sarcastically 
called "the little abbe,^^ said to himself: "You must 
be a man, and if you ever intend to march at the 
head of an army and confront an enemy armed to 
the teeth, you cannot afford to be afraid of the King 
of France! So there!" 

One fine day Eugene begged for an audience, 
which was granted. At last he stood before His 
Majesty, King Louis the Fourteenth, whom his 
creatures called "The Great." Eugene and Louis! 
One cannot imagine two natures more unlike in 
every respect, inwardly and outwardly. One ele- 
vated Germany to a position of honor and power; 
the other would have been glad to drag it down in 
order to be worshipped as its ruler. Standing erect, 
with clear and honest eyes, in a resolute voice, 
Eugene presented to the King his petition for a 
commission in the army. 

When he had finished, the King's eyes rested upon 
him for some moments with an expression of deri- 
sion. The "little abbP^ had never before seemed so 

[21] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



repulsive to him. Eugene certainly was far from 
being a paragon of beauty. His complexion was 
dark, he was small in stature, and his nose was com- 
paratively large. His upper lip was so short that 
his mouth remained constantly open, disclosing 
the front teeth. The redeeming feature was his 
eyes which, intelligent and iiery, gazed intently at 
the King as though they would read his fate from his 
lips. 

"You are disobedient, ahhej'^ said the King- in a 
cutting voice; "you oppose my will." 

"Not your will, Your Majesty," answered Eugene, 
"but only an office for which I have no inclination." 

"But you are not fit for a soldier," said the King, 
measuring him from head to foot with an almost 
disdainful look. "You will never be able to bear 
the hardships of the service. As I happen to know, 
your father had destined you for the priesthood. 
Take back your petition." 

"All my ancestors have followed the profession 
of arms," answered Eugene; "it is the most honor- 
able one for a prince, it is " 

"Silence with your arguments," interrupted the 
King; "I am in no mood to listen to them. You 
know my wish. I will suffer no contradiction. A 

prince of Savoy-Carignan should -" Here the 

King cleared his throat and could not at once find 
the right expression for what he wished to say. 

[22] 




p 



RINCE EUGENE 

before King Louis the Fourteenth 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



"Should," Eugene took up the unfinished remark, 
"should at least have the liberty of deciding his own 
future and of choosing his profession." 

"The little ahhe is excited," said the King in a 
disdainful tone. Then he continued, "It; shall be 
as I have commanded. Your Reverence must enter 
into holy orders very shortly." 

"Your Majesty," replied Eugene with a firmness 
of voice and manner far beyond his years (for he 
was then only seventeen), "you force me to declare 
that I shall embrace the profession of arms in spite 
of everything." 

"But not under my flag, not in France," cried the 
King forbiddingly. 

"Then I am compelled to seek another sovereign 
arid another fatherland." 

"Do so. Prince. You are dismissed." 

Eugene immediately obeyed this command. His 
future was decided. 

"This person's face is very repulsive to me," said 
the King to his courtiers. "The Solssons were all 
pig-headed and this fellow has inherited his mother's 
audacious spirit besides. Louvois is right, all these 
Solssons must learn to submit." 

So thought the King. But man proposes; God 
disposes. This Solssons (Eugene) at least did not 
feel the power of the King of France; the reverse 
was the case, which we shall see as our history 

[23] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



proceeds. The heart of Prince Eugene was light as a 
feather when he had turned his back upon the King 
and his grand palace. Now all was clear between 
them; he had spoken his mind and told the King the 
truth, as he had probably never heard it spoken 
before by one of his vassals. 

When one considers, it was certainly a very daring 
procedure. Abruptly and quickly he had broken all 
the ties that bound him to the King and his house. 
It was certainly not a bad thing to have the power- 
ful King of France for a cousin. Had Eugene, 
according to the King's demand, become a priest, 
he would have fared well, might have folded his 
hands on his knees and have enjoyed a very comfort- 
able living. But now it was necessary to stand on 
his own feet and to act with hands and brain. Thou- 
sands would certainly have decided differently, would 
have preferred the certain to the uncertain and have 
considered that a piece of bread in the mouth is 
better than a feather in the cap. 

Eugene did not belong to this order of mankind. 
Fate had early taken him in hand. His father's 
cares and his mother's tears had sunk deeply into 
his heart. He was too good a son to forget easily 
the wrongs inflicted by the King. He had also been 
early introduced to the frivolous life at court, and had 
conceived a disgust for it. Thirdly and lastly, he 
had a lively faith in God. He believed firmly in 

[24] 



LITTLE CAPUCHIN 



an all-wise heavenly control of the universe, had 
put his trust in the King of kings, and was at peace 
with himself. He would never have been a success- 
ful priest, but he was enthusiastic for the profession 
of arms. 

The next problem for Eugene to solve was, under 
whom he should seek service. France was not the 
world. There were many potentates under whose 
banners he could find honor and fame. He hesi- 
tated but a short time; then his intuition came to 
his aid and he chose the German Emperor. Strangely 
enough, although a Frenchman by birth, his heart 
had always turned to Germany; from youth German 
deeds of valor had inspired him. Added to this, 
his uncle, the Duke of Savoy, was on the most friendly 
terms with the Emperor Leopold the First, and his 
brother Julius, who had entered the imperial service 
shortly before, had already been assigned to the 
command of a regiment. 

Eugene lost no time. He said farewell to his 
grandmother and to his brothers and sisters, and 
packed his belongings. These, no doubt, were not 
numerous, for his pleasure-loving mother had at- 
tended to that; and besides, the parental legacy had 
been widely distributed. But this troubled Eugene 
very little. In eating, in drinking, and in dress he 
was accustomed to the greatest simplicity; and in 
case of need he had a rich uncle in Savoy, who 

[25] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



would have considered it a disgrace, as he had a 
great deal of family pride, to let his young relative 
suffer want. 

Accompanied by a single servant, Eugene left 
Paris and shook the dust of the proud capital from 
his feet. It is said that he vowed never to enter 
France again except as her enemy, sword in hand, 
at the head of a German army. We shall see later 
how this came to pass. And now let us heartily 
wish good luck to our determined young Savoyard. 



[26] 



Chapter II 

The Siege of Vienna 



EUGENE arrived at last in Vienna, although the 
journey then consumed much longer time 
than it does to-day. This had its advantages, 
for one had time to consider one's plans and to make 
up one's mind whether one were doing the right thing 
or not. But, as we alrea.dy know, Eugene was not 
the man to vacillate when once he had decided. 
When he had the goal before him he made straight 
for it, looking neither to right nor left; in fine, he 
no doubt felt that God was leading him; and this 
is the best guide for us all, whether prince or beggar. 
At the royal castle in Vienna he was very kindly 
received. He had not grown handsomer or statelier 
on the road from Paris to Vienna; but Emperor 
Leopold overlooked these externals and saw some- 
thing deeper. Eugene's firmness of bearing, his 
directness of speech, and his whole personality im- 
pressed him. There were other considerations also 
which influenced the Emperor. Like Eugene, he 
had been destined in youth for the Church; he was 
also pleased to have princes and cousins of the 

[27] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



already powerful Duke of Savoy, flocking to his ban- 
ner at a time when the operations of the rapacious 
and murderous Turk were becoming more and more 
of a menace to Vienna. Every German sword that 
freely offered itself was welcomed as a real acquisi- 
tion. So thought the Emperor. To be sure the 
Viennese had other ideas, for with all their amia- 
bility they have a sense of humor. 

The little Prince of Savoy-Carignan was almost 
too tiny for them. When they had heard his story, 
they scarcely blamed the French King for having 
destined this little chap for the priesthood. They 
insisted that he was not fit for war. They called 
him "The little Capuchin" — a name which fitted 
him, for he generally wore a long brown cloak which 
closely resembled a monk's habit. Very often 
people stopped on the streets, shaking their heads, 
to gaze after him. Eugene would have had to be 
very obtuse not to have noticed this. At present 
it could not be helped, but he no doubt thought to 
himself, "Just wait, and sooner or later the little 
Capuchin will show you what he can do." There 
was that within him which neither the edicts of a 
king of France nor the jokes of the Viennese could 
subdue; genius was bound to assert itself. His 
opportunity soon came. 

The Turks as well as the French were enemies 
of the empire at that time. Until quite recent times 

[28] 



SIEGE OF VIENNA 



the German people were accustomed, in their church 
prayers, to call on God for protection against both 
these enemies. The French were constantly har- 
assing the empire on its western frontier, and the 
Turks on the eastern. Here and there great domains 
were taken, and it is only to be wondered at that 
under such desperate circumstances it did not go 
quite to pieces. This shows how full of tenacity 
and endurance the German people were. The worst 
of the situation at that time was that "the Most 
Christian" King of France encouraged the Turks 
and was playing the game with them. He argued 
that if the Germans were busy in Vienna with the 
Turks, the Emperor could not send an army to the 
Rhine; and the beautiful country on both sides of 
this river had long excited his cupidity. Shortly 
before this (1681) Strasburg had fallen into his 
hands through abominable treachery. Such a rich 
morsel had excited Louis the Fourteenth's appetite 
anew. 

In Hungary, which was the portal of entry into 
the empire for the Turks, the ruler was an adventu- 
rous spirit and a dare-devil soldier, named Tokely, 
who had been bribed by Louis. Indeed, as many 
historians tell us, he had a secret understanding with 
the Turks for the destruction of Germany. It was 
very difficult to accomplish this from the French 
side, for here a stanch German prince opposed him 

[29] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



and defended German rights against the impious 
attacks of the French. This German prince was 
Frederick William, the great elector of Brandenburg. 
You see it was even then one of the Hohenzollerns 
who entered the lists in Germany's behalf; how long 
they have been misunderstood and accused of base 
schemes of conquest 1 

But let us pass from the Hohenzollerns to the 
French, Hungarians, and Turks. The Emperor had 
concluded a twenty-years' armistice with the last of 
these after the battle of St. Gotthard. This was 
now nearly at an end. If the court of Vienna had 
made good use of it, the Turks never would have 
dared to attack this still powerful enemy. As it 
was, they had been sitting with folded hands, idle 
and impassive. The imperial army was small in 
numbers and insufficiently fitted out. The fortresses 
in Hungary were in a neglected condition, and the 
country itself was kept in disorder and insurrection 
by Tokely and his lawless followers. Thus it was 
an easy matter for the Turks to subdue not only 
Hungary but other sections of Austria, and to carry 
the victorious crescent to the very gates of Vienna. 

It was during this period of nervous anxiety that, 
by imperial command. Prince Eugene was given a 
lieutenant's commission in the dragoon regiment of 
his brother, Prince Julius Louis of Savoy-Carignan, 
in order that he might win his spurs under the 

[30] 



SIEGE OF VIENNA 



latter's eye. The commander of the imperial army- 
was Duke Charles of Lorraine, who had a tale to 
tell of the French King's arrogance, as he also had 
been spurned in that country. What must have 
been Prince Eugene's feelings when he first donned 
the imperial uniform! His entry into the Austrian 
army gives us much food for thought. His future 
had not been foretold from the cradle; but who 
knows what would have become of the German 
fatherland had he gone to Spain instead of to Austria; 
had he never striven against the Turks; if in the 
Spanish war of succession he had fought against 
instead of for Germany; if the French instead of 
being his enemies had been his friends.^ 

Instantly the torch of war was ablaze. The 
Turks and Hungarians, uniting, pushed forward from 
the lower Danube. Burning villages and towns, 
desolated landscapes, hunger, misery, and all the 
horrors of war marked their path. Many thousands 
of youths and maidens fell into their hands, to be 
carried away as hostages or to be sold into slavery. 
All was confusion, and no one could suggest a remedy. 
The whole Austrian army numbered 35,000 men, 
and the Turks were 200,000 strong. What a con- 
trast! 

The operations of the Emperor's troops were 
mostly unsuccessful. They were anxious to hinder 
the enemy's advance, so that the Viennese might 

[31] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



have time to strengthen their intrenchments. Per- 
ceiving this, the Grand Vizier pushed rapidly for- 
ward to the Leitha; and in order not to be cut off 
from Vienna, Duke Charles of Lorraine was obliged 
to change his position. He was attacked with furi- 
ous impetuosity at Petronell, July 7, 1683, by the 
advance-guard of the Turkish army. It was a 
bloody engagement, for it was necessary for the 
Germans to defend themselves at any cost. 

It was there that Eugene met the enemy for the 
first time and proved himself a soldier. He fought 
as bravely as the best, keeping at his brother's side, 
wherever the danger was greatest. The King of 
France should have seen the little ahhe in this 
wild cavalry encounter — he would certainly have 
changed his mind. Despite their ardor the Turks 
were obliged to retire, and this pleased Eugene 
mightily. But unfortunately the joy of victory was 
embittered by a great sorrow. His beloved brother 
Julius was a victim of the day's work and was found, 
terribly disfigured, under the horses' hoofs. Eugene 
shed some bitter tears, said a prayer for his brother's 
soul, then pressed on after the enemy. 

But it was impossible to stem the tide of their 
superior numbers; already they had surrounded 
Vienna, and a division of Turkish cavalry had taken 
possession of one of the suburbs, where they were 
conducting themselves in truly barbaric style. That 

[32] 



SIEGE OF VIENNA 



could not be tolerated. The Margrave, Louis of 
Baden, who had succeeded Prince Julius Louis of 
Soissons as commander of the dragoon regiment, 
attacked the Turks, sabre in hand, cut down many 
of them and put the rest to flight. Eugene took 
part in this fight with enthusiasm; as also a few days 
later at Presburg, where the Duke of Lorraine de- 
feated the rear-guard of the enemy. Here also the 
dragoons of the Margrave Louis of Baden did their 
part, and Eugene distinguished himself above all 
the rest. 

In the meantime the main army of the Turks, under 
command of the Grand Vizier, Kora Mustapha, had 
entirely surrounded Vienna. Such peril had never 
before befallen a German city. All Germany was 
in a fever of excitement. It was plain that, should 
Vienna fall, the whole German empire would be 
open to the marauding and murdering infidels; and 
God knows what might come next. But it turned 
out differently. The mayor of Vienna, Rudiger von 
Starhemberg, was a good soldier as well as adminis- 
trator. Here he encouraged, there led an attack; 
and the Viennese citizens and students fought like 
heroes under his leadership. Although the Turks 
stormed the walls and had even made a breach here 
and there, they were obliged to retreat before the 
defenders, who were fighting for their dearest and 
most sacred possessions. The good Viennese, how- 

[33] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



ever, would have been obliged at last to succumb, 
had not help come from the Electors of Bavaria and 
Saxony, the Emperor's troops under Duke Charles 
of Lorraine, and with them, of course, the chief of 
the dragoon regiment, Margrave Louis of Baden, 
with "the little Capuchin," Prince Eugene, all led 
by King John Sobieski of Poland. The Capuchin 
was already become a mighty hero; Eugene had 
smelled powder, and even the dragoons, who had at 
first regarded him doubtfully, had quite changed 
their minds about him. 

The decisive battle took place September 12, 1683, 
under the walls of Vienna. The assistance was 
timely, for the city could scarce have held out twenty- 
four hours longer. The Turks had been bombarding 
it since the fifteenth of July. It was a wonder that 
it had resisted so long. The last day was destined 
to be the hardest one for the Viennese. The Grand 
Vizier had divided his army. Legions attacked the 
deliverers on the Kalenberg, and other legions were 
commanded to take the city. For a long time the 
outcome was uncertain. The Turks fought with 
incomparable ferocity and recklessness; and it became 
necessary for the Germans to exert their strength 
to the utmost against their attacks. The fury and 
confusion were terrible, the slaughter unparalleled. 
Wild cries to Allah mingled with the groans and 
prayers of the Christians. Blood flowed in streams, 

[34] 



SIEGE OF VIENNA 



and the trenches were filled with the corpses of friend 
and foe alike. It was well that the decisive moment 
was at hand, for the defenders had expended their 
last effort. At length the trumpeters sounded the 
glad tidings of victory from the Cathedral tower of 
St. Stephen, from whence the flight of the Turks 
could be seen. It was heroic work, in which every 
man did his share, and especially Prince Eugene. 
With the Duke of Lorraine, he pushed down the steep 
declivity of Leopoldsberg toward Nussdorf, then 
along the banks of the Danube, in pursuit of the 
enemy. 

Once more the Turks made a sharp and ferocious 
attack on the walls and intrenchments of Vienna. 
Although repulsed on the outside, they were deter- 
mined to take the city. The danger increased, but 
little more patience and endurance was needed, for 
help was at hand. Margrave Louis of Baden de- 
tected the greatest danger-point at the Schottenthor 
(Scotch Gate). With three battalions of infantry 
and his dragoon regiment he cut his way to this 
point. He wished to outflank the enemy and give 
the Viennese a breathing spell. Prince Eugene was 
at every point where the danger was greatest. With 
his dragoons he was the first to enter the Scotch 
Gate. What a slashing and butchering there was! 
It was necessary to effect a meeting with Starhem- 
berg. The long blades of the dragoons did terrific 

[35] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



execution among the enemy. At the head stormed 
the "little Capuchin," giving orders here and strik- 
ing a blow there, until he heard trumpet calls from 
the other side. It was Starhemberg, and the Turks 
were between two fires; there was no longer any 
escape, they must go down in this sea of fire and 
flame. 

Vienna was saved. The Turks fled, and the 
dragoons kept close at their heels. Order had now 
to be restored in all directions. 

A little defeat which the Polish cavalry had suf- 
fered on the seventh of October at Parkan was 
revenged two days later by the reunited army. 
Margrave Louis of Baden took the city by storm; 
then Gran surrendered, and this closed the famous 
campaign of the year 1683. 

Before the year had closed Prince Eugene had 
received the thanks of the Emperor for his gallantry. 
On the twelfth of December, 1683, he was appointed 
Commander and Colonel of the Kuefstein regiment 
of dragoons; and this fine regiment he retained with- 
out a break during his long career. For a long time 
it had the honor of being a model for the whole 
imperial cavalry. And is it a wonder.^ Prince 
Eugene understood his profession and was a past 
master in the art of war. 



[36] 



Chapter III 

Turkish Campaigns 



ALTHOUGH there were no telegraph stations 
at that time nor any railroads, it soon 
became known in Versailles and Paris that 
the "little abbe" had fought very gallantly, and 
that his bravery had received recognition from the 
Emperor. What must Louis have felt when he 
heard this news? He was too crafty to betray him- 
self; but Louvois was less self-contained, and cried 
in his wrath: "This fellow shall never again enter 
France." It was easy for this presumptuous min- 
ister to issue his commands, but the fulfilment of 
his purpose was not in his power. Eugene had 
now gained an assured position. His commanding 
officer, the Field-Marshal General, Margrave Louis 
of Baden, a man for those times very well informed 
and an accomplished soldier, possessed far more dis- 
crimination than the King of France displayed in 
that memorable audience at the Louvre; he recom- 
mended Eugene to the Emperor with the words: 
"In time this young Savoyard will be the equal of 
all those whom the world considers great generals." 

[37] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



The campaign of 1684 was quickly opened, but 
without particular success. It is a long distance 
from Vienna to Stamboul, and there was much to be 
done before the enemy could be despatched thither. 
They still had their strongholds in Hungary, and such 
neighbors were dangerous. It was necessary above 
all to seize Buda.* At first this was unsuccessful; 
indeed, the Germans were obliged to go into winter 
quarters without having accomplished anything; then 
they had to put the city in a state of siege and to re- 
sist the advance of the Turkish army of relief. Star- 
hemberg proposed to take Neuhausel first, this being 
the only way to approach Buda. The good advice of 
this experienced soldier was disregarded, and there- 
fore unfortunate consequences had to be endured. 
It was not until the next year that the situation 
improved. Other powers had gathered their forces 
under the banners of the Austrian Emperor, includ- 
ing Bavaria, Saxony, Brandenburg and twenty 
thousand Hungarians who were opposed to Tokely 
and chose to adhere to the Emperor rather than to 
this impostor. 

Since the siege of Vienna, by the enemies of Chris- 
tianity, there had been an awakening among the 
German princes; the common danger had called 



* Budapest is the official name of Buda and Pest, or Pesth. It is the 
capital of Hungary. Buda is on the west bank of the Danube and Pest 
on the east. The German name of Buda is Ofen. 

[38] 



TURKISH CAMPAIGNS 



for common defence. Of course Prince Eugene with 
his regiment was not wanting. His post was on the 
left wing of the imperial cavalry commanded by the 
Prince Salm. Everything prospered so that Buda 
was soon as completely surrounded as Vienna had 
previously been by the Turks. 

Eugene, with his dragoons, held a ravine road on 
the south side of the fortress, which led between two 
mountains into a broad plain. From this quarter 
the Turks in Buda were expecting their relief forces; 
and nearly every day there were skirmishes, in which, 
however, the Turks always got the worst of it. How 
dangerous these engagements were, is shown by the 
fact that once Prince Eugene's horse was shot under 
him, and another time he \ysls wounded by an arrow. 

The Turkish supporting army at last arrived, but 
was completely vanquished, and the city was then 
taken by storm. Eugene very nearly missed this 
fun, for he was on sentry duty and was commanded 
to remain at his post. But when he heard the thun- 
der of the field-pieces, great and small, the clash of 
swords and the sound of the trumpets, he could no 
longer contain himself. He quickly ordered a part 
of his dragoons to mount, battered down a gate 
with axes, and in a moment was in the thick of the 
fray beside his victorious German brothers. 

Now began the second rout. Valiant Eugene had 
the honor of chasing the enemy over the Danube. 

[39] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



Ha! that was merry work! Besides this, Fiinf- 
kirchen was taken by Eugene's unmounted dragoons. 
Once started, he would have done still more, had 
not a very deplorable misunderstanding and jealousy 
among the Emperor's commanders stopped all im- 
portant operations for some time to come. None 
wished to obey another. Margrave Louis of Baden 
dared to tell the Duke of Lorraine to his face, that 
he was not obliged, as a German Prince, to take 
orders from him. The young Elector of Bavaria, 
Maximilian Emanuel, also made trouble. 

This was a great disadvantage to the Germans, 
and grieved Eugene deeply. The situation did not 
improve until the Turks became more and more 
menacing, and this danger brought the malcontents 
to their senses. At last, on the twelfth of August, 
1687, it was determined to attack the Turks at 
Mohacz. 

Here, almost on the same spot where, one hundred 
and sixty years earlier. King Louis the Second of 
Hungary had lost empire and life to Suleyman, he 
was at last avenged. The battle lasted only a short 
time, but the victory was a decisive one. Like a 
wall of brass the Germans slowly advanced. There 
was no break of which their opponents could take 
advantage. The attacks of the enemy's cavalry p 

broke against it, like the breaking of the sea against 
the rocks. Again and again the Turks attacked, 

[40] 



TURKISH CAMPAIGNS 

and were driven back each time. Added to this, a 
steady fire of musketry raked their lines, and the 
cannon did their duty also. At last there was no 
possibility of restraining the soldiers; and the time 
had come, too, for Eugene to let loose his dragoons. 
Like a whirlwind they threw themselves on the 
Turks, whole regiments were ridden down and others 
taken prisoners. Once more the Turks made a 
stand behind their intrenchments; they thought 
Eugene could not get at them there. But how mis- 
taken they were I Like lightning his dragoons were 
off their horses, drew their sabres, stormed the barri- 
cades, and cut down all who did not save themselves 
by instant flight. 

Thus the battle was decided; the lion's share of 
the victory and of the glory was Eugene's. This, 
no doubt, was appreciated by the Duke of Lorraine; 
for as a reward for his daring dash at Mohacz, he 
sent him in person to bear the news of victory to 
Vienna. It was certainly a proud commission for 
the valiant Prince! Arrived at the castle, he in- 
stantly received audience and was presented by the 
Emperor with his portrait richly set in diamonds. 

After the battle of Mohacz Eugene's fame was 
assured, his name was on every tongue. The king 
of Spain bestowed upon him tlie Order of the Golden 
Fleece; and his cousin, the reigning Duke of Savoy, 
Victor Amadeus the First, delighted with the brilliant 

[41] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



success of his young relative, supplied him royally 
with money. 

How the gentlemen in Paris and Versailles must 
have opened their eyes at all this! Their historical 
works, as one can well believe, do not tell of any 
distinction that Eugene received. King Louis must 
have been thoroughly ashamed of his shortsighted- 
ness; he had taken the rough diamond for a common 
pebble. Prince Eugene became Lieutenant-Field- 
Marshal in his twenty-fifth year. This was certainly 
an unusual distinction. What is more important, 
he became Lieutenant-Field-Marshal not through 
the favor of the king, but on his own merits. 

It was now most important for the Emperor to 
regain possession of Belgrade. The last bulwark of 
the Germans could not be allowed to remain in the 
hands of the Turks. The Emperor commanded; 
there was no hesitation. The Elector of Bavaria, 
the Emperor's son-in-law, was now commander of 
the imperial army after the valiant Duke Charles 
of Lorraine had been diplomatically removed. 

The affair went splendidly. When the German 
cannon had shot but two breaches in the walls, the 
assault was made. Two columns advanced to the 
fortifications, led by the Elector and Eugene. The 
cry was: "Long live the Emperor; long live Ger- 
many 1" They advanced quite a long distance and 
thought they had already won the day. But they 

[42] 



TURKISH CAMPAIGNS 



were mistaken; for a deep moat protected the real 
fort and made a dangerous obstacle. There was 
little time to consider; it was do — or die! In spite 
of the continuous fire of the Turks, young Count 
Starhemberg, nephew of the heroic Vienna Mayor, 
called out: "Follow me, he who loves the Emperor 
and his country!" He then sprang into the moat 
up to his belt, his whole regiment following him. 
But this was by no means the end. As they climbed 
out of the moat, dripping wet, they had to take the 
intrenchments. The Turks defended themselves 
desperately, for they knew what it meant to lose 
Belgrade. But the Elector and Eugene followed 
hard upon the heels of the Starhemberg regiment. 
There was a terrible hand-to-hand fight, while large 
and small missiles fell right and left among the 
attacking army. The Elector received an arrow- 
wound in his face, a janissary gave the Prince of 
Savoy a sword cut that clove his helmet. Eugene, 
turning quickly, plunged his sword deep into the 
Turk's breast. At that instant a musket-ball pene- 
trated his leg just above the knee, and he dropped, 
still urging the attacking troops on to victory. He 
was removed from the field, and soon the joyful news 
was brought to him that Belgrade was taken. 

The Prince's wound was extremely dangerous, for 
the ball could not be found for some time; and several 
months afterwards splinters of bone were removed 

['43 ] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



from the leg. Everything was done that science 
could accomplish; Duke Victor Amadeus the Second 
sent his own physician to Vienna. Later a lung 
trouble developed; and it was not until January of 
the year 1689 that the Prince could journey to Turin 
to thank his cousin personally for all the kindness 
and sympathy which had been shown him. 

The victories of the Austrian Emperor over the 
Turks had aroused tremendous jealousy at the court 
of Versailles. Louis, "the Most Christian King," 
instead of assisting in the defence, was much cast 
down at the defeat of the Turks, for he could not bear 
to see a powerful German Emperor as a rival. He 
now conceived a new plan and suddenly attacked 
the Emperor and his strongholds. As both were 
unprepared, he was very successful. Philippsburg 
fell; Mayence opened its gates to him; and with the 
connivance of the traitor FUrstenberg, coadjutor of 
the Cologne bishopric, Bonn, Kaiserswerth, and 
other fortified places passed into the hands of the 
French. After these great victories over the Turks, 
Emperor Leopold should have made peace with them 
and turned all his energies against the French, an 
opinion shared by all the princes of the empire. 
Incredible as it may seem, he did not do this, and as 
a consequence suddenly found himself between two 
enemies. Now he had all he could do to save his 
skin. It was a desperate situation; the hearts of 

[441 



TURKISH CAMPAIGNS 

German patriots, and there were plenty at this 
unfortunate time, were very heavy. 

While Louis let loose in the Rhine provinces his 
marauding bands, which plundered and burned more 
than a hundred villages (the empty window-frames 
of Heidelberg Castle still testify to the shameful 
deeds of the French), he allied himself also with the 
Duke of Savoy. He believed it possible to make 
that country a point of vantage for attacks on the 
Germans, although it was a somewhat roundabout 
route. This was a very unpleasant surprise to the 
Duke of Savoy. He would much have preferred to 
keep quiet, a neutral observer of the bloody game of 
war. But there was no choice. He was obliged to 
decide and place himself either on the Austrian side 
or else to make common cause with the French. 
With a heavy heart, as is natural with weak char- 
acters, he decided for the former. Eugene had 
labored hard with him — had represented to him all 
that the family of Carignan had suffered from the 
French, and what would befall him should he become 
a vassal of King Louis. 

That decided him. A small German army (5,000 
men) under the leadership of Caprara, Eugene with 
them, entered Savoy; and as Spanish troops soon 
came to their assistance, they confidently hoped to 
discipline the arrogant French. But it turned out 
differently. The Duke of Savoy played false, was 

[45] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



bought by French money, and betrayed all the plans 
of the imperial leaders to the French general Catinat. 
He permitted the dangerous bandit warfare of the 
Piedmontese, the notorious sharp-shooters of modern 
times, against the Austrians. The soldiers were 
given poisoned food, several were murdered, small 
groups of them were attacked, and even the life of 
Eugene, who meanwhile had become a general of 
cavalry, was conspired against. A troop of at least 
one thousand men attempted to overwhelm his camp, 
but were bravely routed by the Taaffe regiment. 

It was difficult for Eugene to believe in the perfidy 
of his uncle, whom he had truly loved and honored. 
But the proofs accumulated. At last he had an 
understanding with him, reproached him with his 
treachery, and begged him urgently to desist and to 
remain firmly attached to the Emperor's cause. The 
Duke, who wished to aggrandize his domain, and 
saw more advantage to himself through alliance 
with France rather than with Austria, did not listen 
to this advice but remained, as before, the secret 
ally of the King of France; thus he did more harm to 
the Austrian cause than a strongly armed enemy 
would have done. 

The war continued with varying success until the 
year 1696. But it brought one real satisfaction to 
Eugene; he kept his promise to himself and from the 
Savoy mountains he entered France sword in hand, 

[46] 



TURKISH CAMPAIGNS 

at the head of an army. He had occupied many 
French towns, when he received orders to retire to 
Milanese territory. He obeyed with a light heart, 
for an open-hearted, honest man is always at a dis- 
advantage against cunning, malignity, treachery, 
and assassination. In Vienna an exceedingly gra- 
cious and brilliant reception awaited him. No one 
thought of blaming him for the ill success in Savoy. 
He had done all that it was possible to do. He 
became more and more devoted to the Emperor and 
to the German cause; he wished to give loyalty for 
loyalty. 



[47] 



Chapter IV 
The Battle of Zenta 



IN the year 1697 we find Prince Eugene a Field- 
Marshal. How did he arrive so quickly at 
such high honors? 

Old Count von Starhemberg, at that time president 
of the Imperial Council of War, had recommended 
him to the Emperor with the words: "I know of no 
one who possesses more understanding, experience, 
industry, and zeal in the Emperor's service, no one 
who is more generous and unselfish, or who possesses 
the love of the soldiery to a higher degree, than 
Prince Eugene of Savoy." This was a recommenda- 
tion which carried great weight, above all from the 
mouth of so brave, thorough, and experienced a 
soldier as old Starhemberg, the valiant defender of 
Vienna. It was a time also when such a well recom- 
mended man could be very useful. 

All was quiet in Italy, to be sure; the campaign 
on the Rhine was not being very actively conducted; 
but in Hungary the arch-enemy of Christendom 
threatened anew, and Eugene was the real scourge 
of the Turks. This warlike nation had, in more 

[48] 



BATTLE OF ZENTA 

recent years, gained the ascendency through the 
breaking up of the imperial forces. The Elector of 
Saxony, Frederick August the Second, as the Em- 
peror's commander-in-chief, had not been man 
enough to hold them back or destroy them. For- 
tunately, just at the right time, he was relieved of 
the command of the army, by accepting the throne 
of Poland. In this position he injured the German 
cause far less than he might have done as a soldier. 
When the Emperor's troops in Hungary learned 
that Prince Eugene was to command them again, 
there was loud rejoicing. Starhemberg's words 
about the love of the soldiers for him had already 
proved themselves true. It was really from this 
time that Eugene began his victorious career. He 
had now to depend solely on himself; upon his own 
powers, his own genius, and had no one above or 
beside him to tie his hands. 

It must not be forgotten that Belgrade had again 
been taken from the Emperor. The Viennese Coun- 
cil of War did not consider it prudent, just then, to 
attempt its recapture, although Eugene would cer- 
tainly have accomplished the task. It was far more 
necessary to furnish the half-starved army with 
provisions and clothing, and to improve the very 
loose discipline. For this latter task Eugene, with 
all his mildness, was well fitted — for the soldiers 
loved the thirty-two-year-old Field-Marshal like a 

[491 



PRINCE EUGENE 



father, and love makes obedience easy. Eugene 
gathered the scattered army together into camp at 
Cobila. Here he learned that the Turkish ruler, 
Mustapha the Second, was in Belgrade and had 
built bridges over the rivers Danube and Save. 

It was the universal opinion in the army that the 
Turks intended to cross the Save and attack Peter- 
wardein. Eugene was the only one who understood 
the situation. He saw that the Turks had quite a 
different plan, and intended to push forward by forced 
marches toward Siebenblirgen to attack the eight 
Austrian regiments under General Rabutin, who 
were coming up. Leaving a sufficiently strong corps 
behind to observe the enemy, Eugene marched with 
the greater part of his forces along the Theiss to meet 
Rabutin. 

It turned out splendidly; the meeting took place; 
and now Eugene determined to return to Peterwar- 
dein to defend this fortress against possible attacks 
of the enemy. He arrived there just in time to 
prevent the Turks from destroying the bridges over 
the marshes at St. Thomas-Syreck. A cheerful and 
courageous spirit prevailed throughout the army; 
the confidence of the leader communicated itself to 
each individual soldier. Eugene had good spies 
and scouts, those necessary evils of the army 
even down to our day. From one of them he 
learned that the Turks were going to advance on 

[so] 



BATTLE OF ZENTA 



Szegedin, take the city and then hurry on to 
Siebenbiirgen. 

As this had to be prevented under all circum- 
stances, Eugene hurried forward so quickly by forced 
marches, that by the twelfth of September he was 
within a mile of the enemy. He determined to 
attack at once. You should have seen the former 
little ahhe or Capuchin now! The thought of fight- 
ing his first battle independently, without inter- 
ference from any one, developed in the highest degree 
all the latent resources of his genius. He was equally 
ready in decision and in execution, and still his plans 
were so well considered and to the point that, as an 
eye witness declared, "there was no loophole for the 
goddess of chance to decide the day against him." 

Scarcely had Eugene completed the placing of 
his army when a part of the Turkish cavalry made a 
descent upon him. To repulse them with great loss 
was an easy matter. And now the cannon began 
to roar from all sides — a terrible concert. One 
could see, from the continuous cloud of dust in the 
Turkish camp, that the Austrians were hitting the 
mark. After a sharp bombardment, the command 
was given, "Forward! march!" The Turkish in- 
trenchments had to be taken in spite of a heavy fire 
from the enemy's lines. It was a bloody piece of 
work in which many a brave soldier bit the dust. 
Very likely the columns sometimes hesitated, but 

[SI] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



a glance at their brave leaders, their beloved Prince 
Eugene at the head, urged them forward. During 
this advance toward the enemy's front, Eugene had 
ordered the left wing of the army, under Starhem- 
berg, to open a passage into the enemy's camp across 
the sandbars of the Theiss. 

In spite of the desperate defence of the janissaries 
who, attacked from the rear, fought with the courage 
of despair, they were forced back step by step. The 
Austrian lines reached the intrenchments, which 
they carried with a rush and then began to scale the 
walls. To heighten the courage of his soldiers still 
more, Eugene himself led the cavalry regiment 
Styrum into the fight. Once more a terrific conflict 
broke out at the barricades, once more success seemed 
doubtful. There was less and less room for the 
cavalry to operate; there was nothing left but to 
leave the outcome to the already decimated infantry. 
But this the cavalry did not wish to do; they wanted 
to claim a share in the honors of victory. Like 
lightning they dismounted, mingling with the rap- 
idly advancing infantry, and together they threw 
themselves against the intrenchments. 

The janissaries saw that they were lost, but they 
resolved to sell their lives dearly. They threw away 
their muskets and drew their sabres. A short but 
terrible carnage began, man to man, eye to eye. 
The Emperor's troops in the majority, holding the 

[52] 



BATTLE OF ZENTA 



advantage on every side, did terrible destruction. 
At last, with cries like wild animals, the janissaries 
turned for flight; all was not lost — the outlet over 
the bridge was still open. Horrible delusion! The 
general's eye had not failed here. The road to the 
bridge had long since been cut off — no outlet in 
any direction, no help! In wild confusion the Turks 
swarmed the rocky banks of the Theiss, where they 
were pushed, crowded by their own numbers and 
driven into the water by the Austrians with loud 
cries of victory, and thus most of them perished in 
the river. Terrible conflicts such as these took 
place all over the battle-field. Drunk with victory, 
the soldiers seemed to crave blood. With cries of: 
"This for Vienna!" "This for Buda!" "This for 
Belgrade!" they gave no quarter, and scorned the 
highest ransoms offered in order to take vengeance 
on their ancient enemies. 

It was only nightfall which ended this bloody 
battle. Twenty thousand Turks lay dead or wounded 
on the field, ten thousand had found death in the 
wild waters of the Theiss. Barely a thousand had 
fled to the opposite shore, whence the Sultan watched 
the destruction of the faithful; the tragic end of his 
hopes. In the fear that his retreat toward Temes- 
var might be cut off by the Austrian troops, he rode 
away in the night on a fleet steed, accompanied by 
only a small band. 

[53] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



Messengers of victory hurried to Vienna. In his 
report to the Emperor, Eugene picturesquely said: 
"Even the sun would not set, until it had seen the 
complete triumph of the imperial arms." And the 
great general added: "Next to God's help, the victory 
at Zenta is to be ascribed to the heroic spirit of the 
leaders and soldiers." This modest soldier said not 
a word about himself and yet he had been the soul 
of it all. His military keenness, the boldness of his 
decisions, and not least of all, the energy with which 
he had carried out his plans on this day — which 
will always be a glorious one in Austrian annals — 
redound to his highest fame. 

Eugene's fame spread on the wings of the wind 
over the whole of Germany and of Europe. He was 
classed with the greatest generals and even his 
enemies said, "This has been a miracle." 

What must King Louis the Fourteenth and Lou- 
vois have thought of this.^ Perhaps they may have 
had a presentiment that some day France herself 
might be in his power. 

The following day Eugene led the victorious army 
into the deserted camp of the Sultan. Here they 
discovered treasures beyond belief. Besides three 
million piastres in the war chest, they found an 
immense quantity of all kinds of weapons, all the 
ammunition and baggage, whole herds of camels, 

[54] 



BATTLE OF ZENTA 



oxen, and sheep, and a great number of flags, horse- 
tails, standards, and other trophies of war. 

Such a victory as this at Zenta had never been 
won by Christians over unbelievers, and the heathen 
had never before suffered such a terrible defeat. It 
was now necessary to follow up the victory and to 
gather the fruits of it. The way in which Eugene 
contrived to do this in spite of many drawbacks and 
hindrances serves but to add another glorious leaf 
to his victor's wreath. In short, in a single campaign 
he had reconquered Siebenbiirgen, Hungary as far 
as Temesvar, also Banat and Slavonia as far as 
Belgrade for his Emperor. 

At the end of November Eugene returned to 
Vienna. The Emperor received him with every 
mark of favor and gratitude, and presented him with a 
sword richly set with precious stones. The populace 
enthusiastically greeted the famous conqueror of the 
Turks. He who had already so often repulsed the in- 
fidels had now exceeded their wildest hopes. Eugene 
became the people's hero and ever remained so. 

On the twenty-sixth of January, 1699, peace was 
declared between the Emperor and the Porte, after 
seventy-two days of negotiations at Carlovitz, a 
little town near Peterwardein. This consumma- 
tion, ardently desired by conquerors and conquered, 
had been brought about by Eugene. 

[55] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



The time of peace was taken advantage of by the 
Prince to found a home for himself in Vienna. This 
had long been his secret wish so that he could live 
quietly and devote himself to scientific study, for 
which he was more and more inclined. The house 
which he bought stood in the street called "Gate of 
Heaven," in the same place where later he built his 
new palace Belvedere, at present the seat of the 
Ministry of Finance. The Emperor also presented 
him with important estates in Hungary, and the 
Prince bought others for a mere song. There were 
now great hopes for an extended period of peace. 
The sound of arms had died away in the West as 
well as in the East, and even the mischief-maker, 
King Louis the Fourteenth, was eager to bequeath to 
his people the memory of a peace-loving ruler. The 
world drew a long breath, but alas — all too soon, 
to be again plunged into fresh disorders and new 
alarms of war. 



[56] 



Chapter V 
War of the Spanish Succession 



KING CHARLES THE SECOND of Spain 
died on the first of November, 1700, without 
leaving a natural heir to the throne. He 
was the last Hapsburg of the older line, and so they 
flattered themselves at the castle in Vienna that 
they could take this rich inheritance as a natural 
right. A sad disappointment awaited them. Charles 
the Second had, at the last moment, made a will in 
favor of France, appointing the grandson of the 
King, Duke Philip of Anjou, sole heir. It was very 
, evident how this had been accomplished. Louis 
the Fourteenth had schemed and intrigued to get 
this rich inheritance for his family, and King Charles 
the Second of Spain was a weak character. 

When the news reached Vienna it caused the 
greatest consternation, not only at court, but among 
all classes of the population. The people rioted in 
the streets of the capital; the ministers demanded 
that the Emperor should suppress the disorder; and 
the Crown Prince, Joseph the First, an active and 
passionate young man, went so far as to send for 

[S7l 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the French minister, the Marquis de Villars, and to 
denounce this proceeding of his master as under- 
handed and deceitful. 

It was not to be wondered at that war soon broke 
out; the bloody War of the Spanish Succession, which 
lasted from 1700 to 17 14, humbled, indeed, the arro- 
gant Louis, and also inflicted great harm upon Ger- 
many. It is remarkable that one hundred and 
seventy years later the throne of Spain was again 
the bone of contention, and that it was again a French 
sovereign who was most concerned in the affair. 
This later ruler was chastised much more promptly 
and more thoroughly than his ancestor. 

Grafty Louis the Fourteenth understood how to 
gain allies rapidly. These were the hypocritical 
Elector of Cologne, the Duke of Savoy, and unfor- 
tunately also the German Emperor's own son- 
in-law, the warlike and fiery Elector, Max Emanuel 
of Bavaria, the conqueror of Belgrade. They were 
all seduced by the vain promises of the French King 
that a crumb from the French inheritance should 
fall to them, and they lent a hand to the false ruler 
on the Seine, to war against the imperial house. 
The Emperor, on the other hand, stood quite alone, 
an almost pathetic figure in the great drama about 
to be enacted, but resolved from the bottom of his 
heart to risk everything in support of his rights. 

•The French were more enterprising than the Ger- 

[58] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

mans. While the recruiting drum was still heard 
in the crown-lands of Austria and warlike bands were 
still streaming in from all sides, not forgetting the 
imperial troops grown gray in the service and fresh 
from the Turkish wars, the French had already 
entered Italy in order to occupy the Spanish posses- 
sions in the spirit of the old adage, "Possession is 
nine points of the law." Starhemberg mobilized 
the imperial army in the Tyrol. It was a matter of 
course that the Field-Marshal Prince Eugene of 
Savoy should command it. Associated with him 
were two experienced French soldiers, two brothers- 
in-arms, the Prince de Commercy and the Prince 
de Vaudemont. 

With thirty thousand men, "amongst them not 
one coward," as Eugene assured the Austrian Crown- 
Prince Joseph, Starhemberg and Borner advanced 
into Italy. On the twentieth of May, 1701, Eugene 
joined them at Roveredo. The French were com- 
manded by Marshal Catinat — Eugene had once 
before, as we know, met him face to face in Italy. 
Catinat had made good use of his time and occupied 
all the mountain passes which led out of the Tyrol 
into Italy. The republic of Venice then held the 
eastern half of upper Italy. Under these circum- 
stances many of the bravest and best heads in the 
army were very dubious about attacking the French. 
But Eugene was willing to take the responsibility; 

[59] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



for such emergencies, he thought, the Emperor had 
made him a field-marshal. He was in very good 
spirits. Now the time had come to strike a blow at 
the French and especially at King Louis. 

How different was his present position in Italy 
compared with that which he had occupied during 
his first campaign! He was now completely inde- 
pendent. The vain and crafty Catinat must be shown 
what he had learned, and he must uphold the glory 
of the German arms for the discomfiture of Louis. 
He must enter Italy, that was certain; and he knew 
how thoroughly Catinat had intrenched himself. 
Eugene quickly made up his mind; he absolutely 
must attack him; he had not studied the tactics of 
the great Carthaginian, Hannibal, for nothing. Like 
him, he chose a passage over the Alps. For this 
enterprise alone, had he fought no other battles, 
nor rendered any other service to the Emperor and 
the country, Eugene would have gained immortal 
renown. All the more so, as at that time many 
of the facilities were entirely lacking which would 
now be at the service of a general. 

And how did he accomplish this daring feat.^ 
Thousands of soldiers and inhabitants of the sur- 
rounding country were kept busy early and late 
making a passageway for the troops over the steep 
mountain paths. Here a shoulder of rock was 
broken away with shovels, pickaxes, and crowbars; 

[60] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

there a steep declivity was graded; at another place 
a dam was made out of great logs, or a bridge was 
built over a gorge. Withal Eugene's greatest task 
was to keep Catinat in ignorance of the road which he 
was preparing, although the Frenchman could scarcely 
dream of the possibility of such a surprise. He kept 
General von Guttenstein constantly before the French 
army so that Catinat should think that Eugene's 
position was just behind the General's vanguard. 

Early on the morning of May 26 the march began, 
which was to equal the most celebrated feats of this 
kind in ancient as well as modern times, and indeed 
to surpass most of them. The army advanced in 
two sections and by two diflferent roads. The 
dragoons who were delegated to accompany the 
infantry had to dismount and lead their horses by 
the bridles. The cannon were hoisted with ropes, 
and the wagons were taken apart and carried. 
Arrived at the top, the cannon were drawn by oxen, 
while soldiers and peasants walked beside them to 
keep them from sliding off the paths or to lend a 
hand where the road was steep. In places where a 
cart had never crossed these inaccessible mountains, 
a whole army now found passage. In the best of 
spirits the soldiers moved forward, delighted with 
this silent and beautiful world, past dizzy preci- 
pices and yawning depths, through virgin forests 
and rough moraines. 

[61] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



By the fourth of June, Eugene with the whole 
Austrian army had achieved the "surmounted im- 
possibility" as he jokingly called this daring alpine 
march, and Catinat was greatly astonished to see 
him appear before him with his 30,000 men. He was 
already half beaten, for with the enemy so close at 
hand, he could not make up his mind which plan to 
choose. He spread his troops along the river Etsch, 
fatigued them with constant marching and counter- 
marching, expected an attack first in this quarter, 
then in that, and did not know what to do — quite 
a contrast to Eugene, who had long ago made up 
his mind what course to take. 

At last the decisive moment came. In the night, 
between the eighth and ninth of July, Eugene crossed 
the Tartaro with 11,000 men and made a sharp 
attack upon the enemy intrenched at Castagnaro. 
The Austrians fought like lions. It was not long 
before the place was taken and the French expelled. 
From there, Eugene marched his whole force against 
the town of Carpi. He met .indeed with great diffi- 
culties in this territory, which was intersected by 
canals, morasses, ricefields, and brush, but he man- 
aged to overcome them all. The armies were soon 
to measure their strength once more. One side 
fought as bravely as the other. Eugene's horse was 
shot under him, and he received a slight wound, in 
spite of which he led his troops on to victory at 

[62] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

Carpi. Inspired by his previous successes, he de- 
veloped an enterprise, a daring of conception, and a 
facihty in carrying out his plans, which made this 
one of his most brilliant campaigns. 

On the twenty-seventh of July he crossed the 
Mincio, to Catinat's great alarm. After this move- 
ment Catinat had but one thought, to reach the 
Oglio, where, covered by this river, he might pre- 
vent the Austrians from entering Milanese territory. 
On this retreat the French proved themselves true 
barbarians. They laid waste the country wherever 
they could, burned and plundered shamelessly, but 
in revenge many of these robbers were shot down 
by the embittered peasantry. The Austrian soldiers 
who followed them were greeted as deliverers from 
the French yoke. 

In Paris there was great consternation over the 
misfortunes of Marshal Catinat. Proud King Louis 
had counted on victory and here was nothing but 
Job's comfort. But what provoked him most was 
the fact that it was the little ahhe with the disagree- 
able face who had gained these victories over his 
troops. To mend the situation and ensure success 
for the future, after recalling Catinat, the King's 
former playmate and intimate friend. Marshal 
Villeroi, was intrusted with the command of the 
army in Italy. He boasted that he would soon 
drive Eugene back into the Tyrolese mountains, 

[63] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



and promised the Parisians that he would teach 
three Princes (Eugene, Commercy, and Vaudemont) 
to dance to his piping, and even that he would send 
them back prisoners to the French capital. 

In the beginning he really seemed formidable, for 
he brought fresh troops to Italy, so that he outnum- 
bered the Austrians, two to one. His first move was 
to reoccupy the left bank of the Oglio. Prince 
Eugene had good reasons for not interfering, which 
Villeroi with truly comic shortsightedness charac- 
terized as "a sign of weakness and fear." But 
Eugene understood very well what he was doing 
and what remained to be done. He now took up 
an excellent position with his troops facing in three 
directions, placed his cannon in a masterly manner, 
and thought to himself: "If you want anything of 
me, I am ready for you!" 

And they came. It was on the first of September, 
1 70 1, at the little town of Chiari. With the greatest 
ease the Austrian outposts were carried and, with 
the fiery impetuosity which is peculiar to the French 
in a first assault, they advanced against Eugene's 
intrenchments. To their great surprise they saw 
scarcely a man, for Eugene had ordered his soldiers 
to lie down behind their redoubts and not to fire 
until the enemy were within fifty feet. Many a 
brave soldier's fingers, as he watched the advance 
of the French, may have itched to pull the trigger 

[64] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

while they were still at a distance. But their be- 
loved General had given the order and they never 
moved an eyelash! Suddenly the fire burst forth 
from all sides, and whole columns of the French were 
mowed down. Again the second and third ranks 
fired and the cannon fell in line with volleys of grape- 
shot. That was indeed a surprise. It was an awful 
massacre. 

Marshal Villeroi was so disconcerted by this be- 
ginning that he did not know what to do next. He 
issued no orders and left his army unprotected under 
the adversaries' constant fire. It was his corps- 
commanders, Catinat and Duke Victor Amadeus of 
Savoy, who arranged for the retreat of the army. 
Eugene did not remain passive, but drove the enemy 
out of every position, replacing them with his own 
men. At Chiari sixty thousand Frenchmen were 
vanquished by twenty-five thousand Germans. The 
enemy suffered a loss of over two thousand men, 
among them two hundred officers, while the Austrian 
army counted only thirty-six dead and eighty-one 
wounded. This was a cheap victory. 

But besides their armed enemy the French had 
another enemy in the peasants of Lombardy. The 
country favored the Germans more each day. Every 
night wagon-loads of provisions were voluntarily 
sent to them, while the French began to suffer hunger 
and want. Added to this came continuous showers 

[65] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



of rain, making impassable roads. In a few words 
Villeroi described the condition of the army to the 
King: "To remain here longer would be to ruin 
our fine cavalry." Thus quickly had the boastful 
Marshal changed his opinions and forgotten utterly 
his promise to teach the three princes to dance. 

On the thirteenth of November the French retired 
once more across the Oglio. Eugene's batteries 
assisted them in a most unwelcome manner. He 
then sent out patrolling parties, who continually 
harassed them, giving them no time to take breath. 
He took Caneto from them and drove them out of 
the whole Mantuan territory. The city itself was 
still occupied by the French, but they could take no 
comfort in it, for Prince Eugene had it well blockaded 
and watched night and day. Eugene showed such 
tireless energy that it seemed as though he were 
just beginning the campaign instead of having 
already brought it to a glorious conclusion, thereby 
augmenting the power of the imperial house and 
gaining the affection and sympathy of the people. 
Now, one sovereign after another began to reflect 
that it might be better for his own interests if the 
Emperor, instead of Louis the Fourteenth of France, 
held the balance of power. 

The first to decide in favor of the Emperor was 
the new King of Prussia, Frederick the First. He 
promised the Emperor to furnish an army of ten 
[66] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

thousand men. Then came Denmark contributing 
six thousand men. Hanover also did not hold back. 
Still more important was it that England and Hol- 
land declared for the Emperor, of course in their 
own interests; for while France had the ascendancy 
they feared for their commerce with Spain and the 
East and West Indies. 

Meanwhile Duke Victor Amadeus earned scant 
thanks in Turin for the help he had given. Though 
he had fought bravely at Chiari and had led his 
soldiers into the thick of the fight, yet he was under 
suspicion in Paris. All the misfortunes in Italy 
were attributed to him, and they would have been 
glad to put all the burden of failure on his shoulders. 
This the faithless Savoy saw full well, but did not 
consider it the proper time to draw his threatened 
head out of the French noose, and he did not have 
the courage to declare openly for the Emperor. 

Marshal Villeroi spent the winter in Cremona living 
care-free a life of pleasure and luxury. The three 
princes had long since heard of his promise to make 
them dance in Paris. They may have thought that 
it would be a good idea to make him dance in Vienna. 
These were amusing thoughts to while away the 
dreary hours of camp life, but were at first vague and 
without definite purpose. They would have liked 
best to take the whole nest, Cremona, with its rare 
bird. But just now there was no time; and besides 

[67] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



this, all the means for a complete siege were lacking, 
although the desire for it grew greater from day to 
day. 

One of the three. Prince Commercy, was a cunning 
fellow; when he had made up his mind to a thing it 
was not easy to dissuade him. He was the one who 
had been most annoyed by Villeroi's promise to the 
Parisians. He now concocted a plot, splendid in 
its way, which I shall describe to you. Field- 
Marshal Prince Commercy was already acquainted in 
Cremona from earlier times. A priest who lived 
there had been a companion of his student days at 
the University. They exchanged confidential letters, 
and one word led to another. Through this priest 
(Antonio Cosoli was his name) he learned casually 
that an old empty canal, which had been unnoticed 
by the French forces, intersected the fortifications 
and was connected with the cellar of the house 
owned by Father Cosoli. This fell in nicely with 
Commercy's plan. He immediately communicated 
the discovery to Prince Eugene, who took this oppor- 
tunity of introducing his soldiers into the town, so 
that he might perhaps gain possession of it. He 
knew that the gates were not well guarded, and that 
there were even no sentries on the walls; all of which 
favored his undertaking. 

On a pitch dark January night, whose terrors 
were augmented by a storm of wind and rain, the 
[68] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

troops which Eugene had selected for this surprise 
broke camp. There were grenadiers, cuirassiers, 
and hussars, altogether about four thousand men. 
Another somewhat smaller band was guided along 
the Po by Prince Vaudemont, to take the bridge 
by storm and enter the town by way of the river. 
Eugene, Commercy, and Starhemberg rode on ahead 
of their troops to a house about two thousand yards 
from Cremona. The troops should have arrived 
there at two o'clock in the morning, but were delayed 
until about five o'clock by the heavy rains and muddy 
roads. Major Hofman of the Geschwind regiment, 
led by a trusty guide, stole with his grenadiers 
through the long canal scarcely two feet broad, 
which had until this time served only as a refuge 
for the rats. He had orders to remain concealed in 
the priest's house until Colonel Count Nasary of 
the Lorraine regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Count 
Knefstein of the Hebenstein regiment could likewise 
penetrate into the town by the same means. Hof- 
man was to overcome the guard at the Margaret 
Gate as quietly as possible, to open the gate, and 
then by means of three columns of fire on the walls, 
to give the signal for the advance of the troops out- 
side. Lieutenant-Colonel Count Mercy was com- 
manded then to enter the city, gallop to the Po 
Gate, and open it for Vaudemont. 

The plan succeeded perfectly. The French guard 

[69] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



was overcome and the gate opened. In full gallop 
with drawn sabres the German cavalry dashed 
through the streets to the appointed places. The 
infantry took the important posts, and Eugene with 
his staff betook himself to the court-house, to direct 
the further movements of the troops from there. 
There was but one more thing to do: it was necessary 
to hold themselves on the defensive until Prince 
Vaudemont had surprised the bridge, to throw open 
the gates for him, and then with united forcesv to 
compel the enemy to surrender or to annihilate them. 

Marshal Villeroi had returned in the evening from 
Milan, where he had doubtless eaten and drunk 
well, and he was now sleeping like a dormouse. It 
was not until seven o'clock in the morning that a 
few musket shots were heard near his quarters. 
Drunk with sleep, the Frenchman turned over in 
bed. A lackey broke into his room with the terrible 
cry, "The Germans are in the city!" 

You should have seen the Marshal jump up then! 
He was in great haste! He quickly threw on some 
clothes and sprang upon his horse. Too late! At 
that moment German soldiers saw him and pulled 
him down. They squabbled over him, for they sus- 
pected a lucky catch and each wanted to claim him. 
Just then an officer, the Irishman MacDonald, threw 
himself upon the struggling soldiers and freed Villeroi 
from his painful predicament. The Marshal offered 

[70] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

him ten thousand pistoles and a regiment in the French 
army, if he would allow him to escape. Now for the 
first time the Irishman perceived what a rare bird he 
had in his snare, but the loyal fellow refused these 
brilliant offers and led his captive to headquarters. 

Starhemberg recognized Villeroi immediately, re- 
ceived his sword, and then sent him to Prince Eugene. 
In spite of the seriousness of the situation it must 
have been a merry meeting. The spectacular drama 
"three dancing princes" had come to naught, and 
the Parisians would have to forego this promised 
pleasure. Instead Marshal Villeroi was marched 
away to Ustiano. 

In the meantime the shooting, drumming, and 
shouting in Cremona had grown so loud that the 
French realized what had happened. One of their 
officers, who was just about to lead his battalion 
to the parade ground, threw himself heroically on 
the Germans and so gave his countrymen time to 
assemble. In spite of this, they would have been 
conquered if Prince Baudemont had arrived from 
the Po Gate, which Count Mercy had opened for 
him. But here a very desperate fight had taken 
place. Two Irish regiments in the French service 
had attacked brave Mercy, taken him prisoner, and 
burned the bridge over the Po, thus preventing 
Vaudemont from crossing the river. 

The French had now retired into the houses and 

[71] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



from thence kept up a well-directed fire on the 
Austrians. Hour after hour the battle wavered; 
the Austrians began to run short of ammunition. 
Besides this, Eugene was afraid of being cut off 
from his line of retreat by General Crequi, who was 
probably marching toward Cremona. Therefore at 
five o'clock in the afternoon, as twilight began to 
fall, he gave orders to evacuate the city. He took 
with him as prisoners nineteen officers, four hundred 
soldiers, seven standards, and five hundred horses. 
Besides this, the French lost twelve hundred dead 
and wounded in the streets of the city, while the 
Emperor's troops lost only six hundred. Marshal 
de Villeroi was taken to Graz, where he was held 
for nine months and well treated, then exchanged 
without any ransom for a Count Waldstein, who had 
been taken by the French at Carpi. The French 
proclaimed Eugene's retreat from Cremona as a 
victory for themselves and composed couplets in 
which they congratulated themselves on having held 
Cremona and having lost Villeroi. 

The French King now appointed Duke Louis of 
Vendome in Villeroi's place. Louis and Eugene had 
formerly been playmates. Both had had an honor- 
able career and were now to play at the terrible 
game of war as opponents. They appreciated one 
another's talents also; at least Eugene frankly said 
that Vendome was a formidable antagonist. 

[72] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

But the game was now quite a different one. 
Vendome's army, through new accessions, numbered 
nearly eighty thousand; Eugene had, as before, his 
thirty thousand. How was it possible to achieve 
success, as Vendome was constantly on the alert 
and was determined to make good the mistakes of 
his predecessors, Catinat and Villeroi.^ Besides this, 
Eugene's army began to need money, arms, and 
clothing. The Council-of-War in Vienna replied to 
his urgent demands only with embarrassed shrugs. 
The old president of the council, Ehren-Starhemberg, 
had passed away, and the other gentlemen were 
perhaps not so well disposed toward the young 
Field-Marshal, who had been promoted so rapidly. 
Therefore it was all the more necessary that Eugene 
should keep cool and take every possible precaution. 
But one must have the means to execute as well as 
the brain to plan, in order to be successful. And 
the means were now sadly lacking, so that Eugene 
was obliged to keep very quiet and avoid an engage- 
ment for the present, that the enemy might not have 
an opportunity of destroying him; for the French- 
man was very anxious to distinguish himself by a 
brilliant coup. And now Eugene conceived a clever 
plan. Should it succeed, it would be something to 
capture Vendome, even if he could not cripple his 
army. Through a loyal Piedmontese, Eugene had 
learned that Vendome occupied a house which stood 

[73] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



quite alone on the Lake of Mantua. It should be an 
easy task to approach by water, to surprise the Mar- 
shal and carry him off in a boat to the opposite shore 
into Eugene's camp. He lost no time in carrying 
out this enterprise. On a mild June night twelve 
boats carrying two hundred picked men under Mar- 
quis Daria were launched. They moved cautiously 
and silently forward. On arriving, Daria disem- 
barked with a few soldiers and called out to the sentry 
that he had brought some sick Frenchmen from 
Mantua. Instead of beating down the sentry, as 
had been commanded, one of the soldiers with 
unpardonable zeal fired upon him, and the comrades 
who had remained behind in the boats also began 
firing. This made such a terrific uproar that Daria 
thought it best to retire as quickly as possible. 

Thus unfortunately, this attempt, which with a 
little more caution might have turned out so well, 
failed. Eugene was highly indignant, caused a 
rigid investigation to be made, and the guilty ones 
were well punished. Vendome was so angry at the 
attempt to take him prisoner and send him to 
Vienna that he shelled the Austrian camp, but could 
not prevent Eugene from taking his revenge by sur- 
rounding Mantua with redoubts. 

Soon after these events Eugene's army suffered 
a hard blow, due likewise to the great carelessness 
of the higher officers. Austrian cavalry had driven 

[74] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

back the enemy to the Crostolo. At Santa Vittoria 
they took up a position which, on reconnoitring, 
Eugene found to be very insecure. He turned over 
the command of the cavalry to the master of ammu- 
nition, Count Auersperg, although he seemed to have 
a premonition of disaster. Auersperg conducted 
the affair with the most unpardonable carelessness, 
placed no sentries, and neglected every precaution. 
Of course disaster followed. Vendome took him by 
surprise, and so sudden and unexpected was the 
attack that the men did not even have time to seize 
their horses and mount. Now, too late, Auersperg 
sought to repair his mistakes. He rallied his soldiers 
about him and, scorning death, placed himself at 
their head and managed to drive the enemy back, 
and even to take some standards from them. The 
French infantry, however, advanced and commenced 
a murderous musketry fire, which the cavalry was 
not long able to endure. They turned for flight. 
Many tried to swim the Tassone, but were carried 
away by the current or found death on its marshy 
banks. A wild charge of the dragoon regiment, 
Herbeville, then drove back the enemy and rescued 
the scattered and fleeing comrades. 

At eleven o'clock in the evening, Eugene learned 
of the unfortunate occurrence. He immediately 
took all precautions to prevent the enemy from 
making any further advance. Indeed he soon did 

[75] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



still more: he retrieved this disaster by the battle 
at Luzzara on the Po, on the first of August, 1702. 
At that place Vendome occupied an excellent posi- 
tion protected by dams, moats, and barricades. The 
battle did not begin until nearly five o'clock in the 
afternoon. Twenty-four thousand Germans were 
opposed to fifty-three thousand Frenchmen. 

Eugene's army was divided into two columns, one 
of them led by Starhemberg, the other by Field- 
Marshal Prince de Commercy. The latter opened 
the battle. His soldiers threw themselves upon the 
enemy from a dam, behind which they had been con- 
cealed, and were received with a terrible hail of shot. 
On horseback, within sight of all his men, Commercy 
remained in the thick of the fight. Suddenly — hit 
by two balls at once — the hero fell from his horse, 
dead. His men hesitated and gave way. This 
made a dangerous breach. But Eugene's keen eye 
guided the battle. Two imperial regiments and 
the Danes hurried up to their support. Backward 
and forward surged the battle. Success seemed out 
of the question. Then Eugene himself came dash- 
ing up. With that bold disregard of death which 
was characteristic of the hero, he put himself at the 
head of his men and led them forward once more. 
In a solid column the battalions advanced. Nothing 
could restrain their heroic ardor. They climbed the 
dike and threw the enemy back on their camp. 

[76] 



SPANISH SUCCESSION 

On the left wing of the imperial army, commanded 
by Starhemberg, the fighting was even more bitter. 
Opposed to him was the flower of the French troops 
under Vendome's own leadership. With impetuous 
courage Starhemberg pushed forward. Nothing 
could withstand him. He drove the enemy before 
him in a rout. It seemed as though they were 
becoming demoralized; the French retreat looked 
like flight. In the zeal of the pursuit a wide gap 
was made in the ranks of the Austrians. As Eugene 
had done, Vendome now recognized the great danger 
to his right wing. He formed, from the reserves 
and several other regiments, a tremendous storming 
column, which he hurriedly threw upon the Starhem- 
berg troops, who were already drunk with victory. 
He broke through their front ranks and forced the 
whole wing into a hurried retreat. Disaster was 
imminent and only timely and effective assistance 
could save the day. At the decisive moment Prince 
Vaudemont came rattling up with his heavy cavalry. 
This successful attack gave Starhemberg time to 
re-form his regiments and to push on to a renewed 
assault. This took place with great effect, supported 
by the well-aimed fire of Borner's artillery. Although 
the French did their best to hold their ground — 
53,000 against 24,000 — it was of no use, they were 
obliged to retire into their protected camp. Eugene's 
plan was to storm this immediately and drive out 

[77] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the French. But his regiments were so exhausted 
that the setting sun counselled both struggling parties 
to take a much needed rest. 

The day at Luzzara placed a new leaf in Eugene's 
victor's wreath, although Vendome and later prej- 
udiced historians would like so well to dispute this. 
The French celebrated the day as a victory, fired 
salutes and caused the bells to be rung in Cremona 
and Milan. In his quiet fashion Eugene comments 
upon this: "One should allow them to shout a little, 
as the innkeeper does his guests when they have 
settled their accounts." This comment of the 
General passed from mouth to mouth and described 
the situation perfectly. The fact was, however, 
that it was the Austrians who held possession of the 
battle-field, and even on the next day and the fol- 
lowing ones Vendome contented himself with send- 
ing a cannon ball now and then among the Austrians. 
If he was not badly beaten at Luzzara, why did he 
not again attack Eugene and his handful of men.^ 
Why did he not follow up his victory.^ 

For the present no new enterprises were under- 
taken in Italy. The Frenchmen lacked courage and 
the Austrians the money for them. In Eugene's own 
words : the want of everything was much greater than 
he could describe or one could believe who had not 
himself seen it; and in the war office in Vienna there 
were words but no funds, which are the sinews of war. 

[78] 



Chapt, 



er VI 

Blenheim 



IN the year 1703 Prince Eugene was appointed 
President of the Royal Council of War in 
Vienna, a position which placed him at the 
head of all military affairs. This was a very happy 
choice. Eugene was just the man to bring order 
into affairs and to act with decision. Things were 
at loose ends, as the reader may have noticed. In 
accepting this high honor from the Emperor, Eugene 
had made but one condition; namely, that he should 
be strongly supported in all his measures for the good 
of the service and the army. A field was now opened 
to him where his keenness and insight found their 
proper activities. The troops rejoiced greatly at 
the promotion of their beloved leader. They forgot 
the trials they had suffered, and hoped for better 
days. They believed that, now, at least they would 
not be obliged to suffer for necessities. 

The Emperor was in dire need of a competent 
minister of war; of a brain which could plan for all. 
Within a short time the condition of European 
affairs had changed completely, and though the 

[79] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



Emperor's cause was greatly helped by the recent 
acquisition of powerful allies, still there were so 
many complicated threads that it would take a 
very clever hand to untangle them, to organize the 
different divisions of the army, and to guide and 
hold them ready for prompt and decisive action. 
That this would not be an easy task was self-evident. 
Prince Eugene, like all mortals, had his enemies and 
detractors. His energetic methods did not please 
everyone, especially those in higher circles, who had 
heretofore been indifferent and passive. The situ- 
ation must have caused him many a headache. 
But there was one thing that supported him; namely, 
devotion to his Emperor and his righteous cause, to 
promote which he tirelessly considered new plans 
and means which involved many little vexations 
and mortifications. "Patience! patience! patience!" 
he often said to himself. He generally proposed 
the opposite of that which he really intended, know- 
ing beforehand that his suggestion would be rejected 
and that the measure which he himself really wanted 
would be recommended. It was a remarkable and 
dangerous game which his colleagues were playing 
while the glorious continuation or the shameful 
downfall of the German imperial house hung in the 
balance! 

As we already know, England and Holland had 
taken sides with the hard-pressed German Emperor 

[80] 



BLENHEIM 



and had placed a strong army in the Netherlands. 
Their commander was the gifted English General 
Marlborough, who had already met the French sev- 
eral times and had shown them that he knew how 
to conduct a war and understood the arts of attack 
and defence equally well. With a second army Mar- 
grave Louis of Baden stood guard over the Rhine 
in the neighborhood of his home, and the Prussian 
allies were also on hand under the leadership of the 
daring Prince Leopold of Dessau. Unfortunately 
the Elector Max Emanuel of Bavaria was still on 
the French side. Guided by petty self-interest, he 
had deserted and betrayed his German fatherland. 

Besides the French and Bavarians, the Turks 
and Hungarians were bestirring themselves once 
more. This was a prearranged scheme in which 
France again had her hand, for she was anxious to 
attack Austria from all sides. But the outcome 
was very different from what the Emperor's enemies 
had expected. We shall see what happened. 

The two generals, Marlborough and Eugene, were 
placed first in command. For a long time they had 
been mutual admirers. They were attracted to 
one another, for, as the maxim says: like seeks like. 
Eugene, who was thoroughly German in feeling, was 
deeply pained to know that the French were in Ger- 
many — that is, in Bavaria. Had he had the power 
he would soon have turned them out. He now 

[8i] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



devised a plan by means of which, with the aid of 
the English, he might accomplish this. It may be 
admitted that there had been a great deal of corre- 
spondence in regard to the matter, but when it had 
been thoroughly considered in all its details it was 
remarkable how well the plans of the two generals 
coincided. 

Eugene and Marlborough's plan in brief was, 
to unite their forces in Bavaria, to call also upon 
Margrave Louis of Baden, and then to strike a sudden 
blow. For the present Prince Eugene temporarily 
resigned his office of President of the Council of 
War, donned his modest soldier's coat, and girded 
on his sword. As the direct road was occupied by 
the Bavarians and French — the latter under Mar- 
shal Marsin — he hurried to the seat of war by the 
roundabout way of the Tyrol and Vorarlberg. His 
arrival was greeted with loud rejoicings by the army. 
Those princes who were allied in opposition to 
the imperial house felt that his appearance was the 
forerunner of important events. For instance, the 
Elector of Bavaria wrote to the King of France: 
"It is not to be doubted that the Prince of Savoy 
visits the seat of war in order to carry out great 
projects." It was plain that his opponents feared 
the noble knight. Had Margrave Louis of Baden 
been as resolute as of old, it would certainly have 
been an easy task for him to make the Elector of 

[82] 



BLENHEIM 



Bavaria, who was just now separated from Marsin, 
feel the sharpness of his sword. As it was, he pursued 
him but tardily and confronted him at last at Ehin- 
gen, near Ulm, where the Elector was encamped. 

It was at this time that Eugene rejoined the 
army. He could probably not avoid reproaching 
the Margrave, though this must have been a very 
unpleasant task, for he was much indebted to him; 
but the service could not be allowed to suffer through 
friendship. However, all might yet be well. Marl- 
borough was on the way to southern Germany with 
his army, consisting of picked troops, excellently 
clothed and armed. He had sent word to Eugene 
that he would conquer or die with him. 

On the tenth of June, 1704, Eugene and Marl- 
borough met for the first time at Mundelsheim. 
They made the most agreeable impression upon one 
another. A confidential intercourse developed and 
a mutual desire to accommodate one another in all 
points, which soon showed its happy effects on the 
soldiers of both armies. 

Three days later they joined the Margrave of 
Baden at Grossheppach. To this day, at the inn 
^'Zurn Lamb" ("at the sign of the Lamb"), the tree 
is shown beneath which the three generals held a 
council of war. The resolution was taken to lure 
the enemy, now in southern Bavaria, across the 
Danube in order to destroy him, 

[83] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



The Margrave, as the higher in rank, insisted on 
taking command of the imperial troops and cooper- 
ating with Marlborough on the Danube. In order 
not to disturb the good understanding, Eugene subor- 
dinated himself and took command of the troops on 
the Rhine. This was a very important post, for it 
was necessary to prevent the union of the French 
marshals, Tallart and Villeroi, an attempt which 
Eugene from the first considered scarcely possible. 

In increasing numbers the French pressed forward 
across the Rhine. They meant to give Germany 
her death-blow. Eugene's plan was to detain Ville- 
roi on the Rhine, on his way from the Netherlands. 
In the meantime Marlborough and Louis of Baden 
had not been idle; the Bavarian Field-Marshal 
Arco, who with eight thousand men had attempted 
to dispute their passage of the Danube, had been 
crushed at the Schottenberg. As a result of this, 
the Elector retired to Augsburg. Under cover of 
its cannon he felt himself secure. The allies followed 
at his heels, but without attempting anything. 

Efforts were again made toward peace, and an 
attempt was made to reconcile the Elector with his 
father-in-law, the Emperor. 

All was in vain. The Elector, in his boundless 
ambition, planned first to tear the German Empire 
asunder and then to appropriate the lion's share. 
He again had visions of the crown of France, or 

[84] 



BLENHEIM 



indeed the German imperial crown, upon his head; 
he was, in short, a cheap creature of the "Most 
Christian" King of France, and would hear nothing 
of reconciliation. He did his utmost to hasten the 
advance of Marshal Tallart. War alone should 
decide his fate. 

Tallart appeared, but close after him followed 
Eugene, whom Villeroi believed to be still at the 
StoUhof frontier. On the third of August the 
Prince was at Hochstadt, going into camp there and 
joining Marlborough a few days later. Margrave 
Louis of Baden had in the meantime undertaken 
the siege of Ingolstadt, so that his indecision could 
no longer be a hindrance. 

Haste was now necessary; not a moment must 
be lost. Both great generals agreed that the de- 
cisive battle must be fought on the narrow plain 
between Blenheim and Hochstadt. To this end the 
enemy were allowed to cross the Danube quietly 
and establish themselves at Hochstadt. The Bava- 
rians and French had no real knowledge of the true 
state of affairs. They intended to attack Eugene, 
whom they believed to be separated from Marl- 
borough, and they expected to overcome him without 
much difficulty. Too late they learned their mistake. 

From the church tower at Tapfheim Marlborough 
and Eugene observed the advance and manoeuvres 
of the enemy. They posted themselves on the 

[85] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



opposite side of the Nebelbach. The right wing 
rested on Blenheim on the Danube, where Tallart 
took up his quarters. The left wing, under Marsin, 
was supported by the village of Lutzingen and the 
slopes of the Goldberg. The Nebelbach was in front 
of them. The Elector with his cavalry was situated 
at Sonderheim, a short distance from Blenheim. The 
allies were behind the Kesselbach. Marlborough, 
who commanded the left wing, was at Mlinster on 
the Danube; Eugene, with the right, at Oppertshofen. 
Thus dawned the twelfth of August of the year 1704, 
the day which was to decide the power of German 
strength over French force and cunning. 

As early as three o'clock in the morning the roll 
of drums and trumpet calls awakened the allies to 
the bloody harvest work of this hot August day. 
The moon was setting and threw its last pale light 
over the landscape. A thick fog covered the great 
plain and hid the distance. Each of the allies' 
armies was divided into four columns, of which two 
consisted of infantry and two of cavalry. The in- 
fantry marched in front, the cavalry behind, and 
the artillery was in the middle. A ninth column 
was formed to cover the march of the English and 
Dutch artillery, then to attack Blenheim and from 
thence to fall upon the enemy's right flank. The 
Prussian reserve corps, under the young Prince 
Leopold of Dessau, was attached to Eugene's army. 
[86] 



BLENHEIM 



The fog lifted; it was nearly seven o'clock when the 
enemy became visible. They were still under the 
strange delusion that the allies would not dare to 
attack them, but would retire toward Nordlingen. 
But all at once they were surprised by a sudden on- 
slaught. The Bavarian outposts were quickly over- 
come; the battle broke out here and there in jets 
of flame. In order to hold Blenheim, Tallart made 
the mistake of withdrawing twenty-seven battalions 
from his centre, where Clerambault commanded. 
The narrow strip between the village and the Danube 
was protected by a barricade of wagons, behind which 
stood four regiments of unmounted dragoons ready 
to defend it. The French line of battle was spread 
out for miles. It surged back and forth like the ebb 
and flow of the sea. 

At nine o'clock in the morning Tallart's artillery 
opened a murderous fire on the allies, who, of course, 
answered in kind. Eugene's regiments, particularly, 
suffered under this fierce cannonading. Coming up 
from a hollow, their left flank was in line of the firing, 
but in spite of this they hastily threw five bridges 
across the Nebelbach. 

Toward noon Marlborough mounted his horse 
and gave the signal for the attack. Lord Cutts 
proceeded with his men, at the signal for a general 
advance, toward the mills of Blenheim, and took 
them. At the same time the English cavalry crossed 

[87] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the Nebelbach. Immediately they were engaged 
in a hand to hand struggle with the French. There 
were mighty blows of the sword on helmet and 
armor; the squadrons plunged wildly upon one 
another. Unfortunately the English cavalry was 
the weaker. Pursued by the French they fell back 
on the infantry; but here the French advance was 
checked and whole ranks were mowed down by the 
English musketeers. New companies came storm- 
ing up, only to meet the same fate, and all without 
any effect on the general result. The decisive 
struggle took place at Blenheim; but here at first 
every attack was in vain. Every garden wall, every 
hedgerow and fence, was prepared for defence; and 
the churchyard, which lay rather high, was trans- 
formed into a small citadel. Marlborough quickly 
changed his plan of attack. While he feigned attacks 
on Blenheim, his principal blow was struck at the 
enemy's centre, which Tallart had weakened con- 
siderably by sending reinforcements to Blenheim. 
But even here it was impossible to accomplish any- 
thing. The French fought with the courage of 
despair, and the English had to give way. At this 
decisive moment Marlborough placed himself at the 
head of the Danish troops, crossed the Nebelbach, 
and attacked the French again with fresh energy. 
Marsin's cavalry came dashing up and threw them- 
selves heavily upon the Danes. 
[88] 



BLENHEIM 



All was wild confusion; already the Danes were 
seeking a way for retreat, and all seemed lost. Just 
then the imperial cuirassiers, led by Fugger, came 
dashing up. With irresistible force they threw 
themselves upon the enemy, renewed the firing, 
and soon worsted the foe. The battle had been 
raging for hours and was still, on the whole, unde- 
cided. Eugene also had been fighting with the 
same ill success. With but eleven battalions of 
Prussians and seven battalions of Danes, he could 
scarcely make any headway. Once more, however, 
they put forth their utmost efforts. Such a bloody 
battle had never been known. The attack was 
begun by the Prussians under Leopold. It was a 
difficult piece of work. From Lutzingen the enemy's 
batteries poured death and destruction incessantly 
into their ranks. The brave grenadiers furiously 
threw themselves upon them and took them in a 
wild struggle. But the Bavarians were soon on the 
spot and the Prussians were driven back with great 
loss. 

Eugene collected the scattered forces and placed 
himself at their head. The attack was unsuccess- 
ful. It was impossible for the eighteen battalions 
of infantry to wrest the victory from the twenty- 
five battalions of the Elector. Eugene now called 
on Marlborough for assistance, in expectation of 
which the Prince went into the ranks, encouraging 

189] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the men, with word and example, to stand firm and 
have courage. But time pressed, and before Marl- 
borough's reinforcements arrived the Prince had 
made a third attack. His keen soldier's eye had 
noted that the advantage was inclining toward 
Marlborough's side. Now all depended on cutting 
off the advance of the French right wing. The 
cavalry should have undertaken this, but were so 
disheartened by the repeated assaults that no great 
success was to be depended on. Full of disdain, 
Eugene turned his back on them and rode to the 
Prussian infantry. These did their duty completely. 
Regardless of danger they dashed forward under 
Eugene's leadership, while the Prince of Dessau 
encouraged his men to do the impossible. The 
grenadiers loaded and fired as carefully as though 
they were on the parade ground, and executed 
evolutions which made the hearts of old and 
young warriors laugh within them — until at last 
the enemy began to retire through the forest and by 
the ravine-road at Lutzingen. Here in the midst 
of this wild scrimmage Eugene nearly lost his life. 
A Bavarian cavalryman, who had probably recog- 
nized him, was taking aim with his carbine, when 
he was rendered harmless by an imperial officer 
who came hurrying up. 

And still the battle raged. The Bavarians fought 
with the courage of lions and stood as firm as rocks 

190] 



BLENHEIM 



amid the sea. At last news came from the other 
wing: Marlborough was gaining the advantage. 
Marshal Tallart had been wounded and taken pris- 
oner, and Blenheim was surrounded by the English. 
Now the cowardly and treacherous Clerambault 
yielded his place, which was the key of the French 
position, and the English pushed into Blenheim, 
where they shot and cut down all who opposed them, 
and made nine thousand prisoners. 

Marlborough's trumpet-calls of victory were the 
signal for Eugene also to make a quick end of things. 
With the last strength of his battalions and squadrons 
— Prince Leopold, with his Prussians, at the head — 
he at last compelled the enemy to retreat. But 
they gave way only by inches. The Bavarians still 
fought with the utmost tenacity, defending every 
foot of ground, until at last, completely weakened 
and shot to pieces, they succumbed to the fire of 
the Prussian infantry. 

Thus the Germans had gained a great and impor- 
tant, but very bloody victory. Fifty-two thousand 
Germans and English had fought against fifty-six 
thousand French and Bavarians. Fourteen thousand 
of the latter now covered the battle-field, and nearly 
as many had been taken prisoners. The trophies 
consisted of one hundred and forty cannon and a 
great number of flags and standards. All Germany 
and the greater part of Europe rejoiced over the 

[91 1 



PRINCE EUGENE 



victory at Blenheim and the thorough humiliation 
and chastisement of the French. Marlborough and 
Eugene were the heroes of the day. The former 
was created a prince of the holy Roman empire by 
the Emperor, and Eugene's house in Vienna was 
made perpetually free of taxation as a privileged 
"freehouse" of the nobility. 

In Paris, on the other hand, great discouragement 
reigned. Almost every important family mourned 
their dead or feared for a wounded or imprisoned 
son. The despondency was general. And again it 
was the former little ahbe whose face was so dis- 
tasteful to Louis the Fourteenth that had brought 
this misfortune upon him and his country. Had 
the allies pursued the French as fast as they fled 
toward the Rhine, the battle of Blenheim would have 
had still more important results. This was part of 
Eugene's plan; but in Vienna there was a group of 
extremely circumspect gentlemen who had very 
different views — "clerks and scribblers," as Bliicher 
later named this distasteful guild. 



[921 



Chapter VII 
The Italian Campaign 



THE French now wished to make up in Italy 
what they had lost in Germany. The pros- 
pects for this seemed very good. The Hun- 
garians, under the daring Count Alexander Karolyi, 
were gathering in the neighborhood of Vienna; while 
in Italy the imperial troops were starving.* 

The Emperor Leopold the First had grown old and 
indifferent, and his characteristic indecision and lack 
of self-confidence had increased. The faithful artil- 
lery General, von Heister, drove the Hungarians 
before him, and Eugene was again sent to Italy to 
restore order and if possible clear the way. There 
was one favorable circumstance. His uncle, Duke 
Victor Amadeus, had at last broken his compact 
with the French and had come over to the Emperor's 
side. He had not received much benefit from his 
friendship with the French. "Hands ofiF here, hands 

*"The regiments were so destitute of accoutrements that the officers 
were ashamed of commanding them. If a troop was sent three or four 
miles away, at least half of the men were left fainting by the roadside. 
The starved men looked more like shadows than human beings." — Thus 
wrote Eugene to the Emperor. 

[93] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



off there," had been the cry, and there was no regard 
for ties of relationship. 

In Italy the two brothers, the Duke of Vendome 
and the Grand Prior, were in command. Eugene 
had first to deal with the latter, who was not particu- 
larly brilliant. By means of marches and counter- 
marches he kept him busy, eluding him cleverly 
when the Grand Prior thought to have surely 
entrapped him. But this could not long continue. 
Eugene soon became disgusted with the comedy. 
In August, 1705, he confronted the Grand Prior at 
the town of Cassano on the Adda. The position of 
the enemy was excellent, while Eugene, besides the 
eight thousand Prussians under Prince Leopold of 
Dessau, possessed but a small army. Still he wished 
to attack the Grand Prior, who had no idea that 
the enemy was so close until he was enlightened 
by messengers from his brother, the Duke. He was 
now all the more alert, fearing a severe reprimand. 
He placed his troops behind several canals and 
garrisoned the island in the Adda, as well as a large 
stone building which commanded the island and the 
bridge leading to it, called the Osteria. 

A heavy artillery fire from. Eugene's side opened 
the battle. Then the infantry fell in line, taking 
the Osteria in a quick assault and endeavoring to 
close the sluices of the canals. Just as they were 
occupied with this diflficult and to them puzzling 

[94] 



ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 

piece of work, the imperial troops were surprised by 
a vigorous attack of the French regiments, by which 
they were driven back and the Osteria taken from 
them. The Austrians again captured the bridge and 
building, but were obliged to give them up again and 
again. At the head of his men Eugene stormed the 
position for the third time, drove the enemy's ranks 
into the river, and prepared to take the intrench- 
ments. But he was received with a heavy grenade 
fire which swept away whole lines, so that he was 
obliged to retire again. 

In the meantime the Duke of Vendome appeared 
on the battle-field with fresh troops. It was Prince 
Leopold who bore the first shock of their attack. 
His soldiers had waded through the canals in order 
to reach the enemy the sooner, and had attacked 
them with their bayonets. But they were met by 
such a murderous hail of bullets, great and small, 
that the Prussians were obliged to withdraw. It 
was only for a short time, however, just long enough 
to take breath; for Dessau was not the man to be 
so quickly repulsed. "He is a cowardly dog who 
deserts his general!" he cried in a voice of thunder, 
and was the first to plunge again into the canal, 
followed by his grenadiers. Thus they victoriously 
advanced and passed through two canals, and were 
getting nearer and nearer to the foe, when for the 
second time they were driven back by the furious 

[95] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



fire of the French cannon and rifles; and late in the 
afternoon they took refuge with Eugene's exhausted 
troops in a secure camp. 

It was at Cassano that the *' Dessau March" 
originated, a piece of music which was composed in 
honor of Leopold, and which still enjoys great popu- 
larity. 

The day at Cassano was a disastrous one for the 
Germans, for more than a fifth of their army lay dead 
or wounded on the battle-field. For a long time 
Eugene was obliged to play at hide and seek with the 
enemy, being now too weak to engage in open war- 
fare. But wherever he could injure the French, we 
may be sure he did so. Eugene's bloody partisan 
warfare is remembered to this day in Lombardy. 

But in Paris they were evidently not quite satisfied 
with the operations of the firm '' Vendome brothers." 
Both of them were recalled and Duke Philip of 
Orleans and Marshal Marsin intrusted with the 
command of the army. This spurred Eugene on 
to measure his strength with these new representa- 
tives. Turin was the last refuge of Duke Victor 
Amadeus of Savoy; this time-server had been thus 
driven to extremity. Starhemberg held the city 
with seven thousand men. A French army forty 
thousand strong now appeared to besiege it. But 
Eugene arrived on the ground before them. He 
crossed the Po with thirty thousand men, passed 

[96] 



ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 



around the French intrenchments, crossed the Dora 
also, and went into camp between this river and 
the Stura. 

At daybreak on the seventh of September, 1706, 
the troops of the allied armies broke camp. They 
were divided into eight columns, of which four 
formed the first and four the second division. 
Scarcely had the French commanders noted Eugene's 
plan when they sent large reinforcements to the 
threatened spot and began a heavy cannonading. 
Of course the imperial batteries did not remain 
silent. This artillery battle thundered for more 
than two hours. Meanwhile, in Turin, Count von 
Daun was making ready with twelve battalions, 
four hundred grenadiers, five hundred cavalrymen, 
and six fieldpieces for a timely sortie. The inhab- 
itants of Turin witnessed the progress of the battle 
from the walls and the roofs of the houses and 
churches, praying devoutly for the success of the 
German arms. 

The Prussian troops had scarcely come up when 
they were ordered to attack. Prince Leopold at 
their head, they advanced upon the enemy as though 
they were on the parade-ground, with erect, firm 
bearing and without firing a shot. A terrific fire 
greeted them; the enemies' bullets swept them in 
front and in the flank, and although they answered 
with a very rapid battalion fire, the battle was too 

[97] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



unequal and they were obliged to retire. As soon 
as Eugene noticed this he hurried to the spot, to 
the support of the brave Prussian regiments, with 
the remainder of the left wing, which was soon fol- 
lowed by the centre and the right wing. The fight- 
ing broke out all along the long line of battle. Both 
sides fought recklessly, neither advancing, but on 
the other hand neither giving way. 

Eugene's attention was centred on the Prussians; 
the Prince of Dessau, his valiant ally of Hochstadt 
and Cassano, seemed to him the right man to strike 
a tremendous blow. It needed but a few words. 
Leopold, the "bull-dog," as Eugene is said to have 
called him, threw himself with his already much 
decimated battalions with terrific fury upon the 
enemy's intrenchments. Nothing intimidated the 
faithful fellows, nothing could stop them. They 
crossed the moat, took the redoubts, and intrenched 
themselves therein. Eugene was in the midst of 
them. His horse was shot under him and he fell to 
the ground. The terror of death was upon him. 
But no! — immediately he arose and hurried on, at 
the head of his men. 

Simultaneously with this brilliant success, the 
Prince of Wiirttemberg penetrated the intrench- 
ments from the opposite side. Eugene's positive 
orders were that the left wing should occupy the 
intrenchments which had been taken until the right 

[98] 



ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 

wing and the centre had also taken the intrench- 
ments. But alas! in the enthusiasm of victory the 
left wing hurried after their advancing brothers, 
and the fortifications remained unprotected. But 
Eugene was watching the progress of the battle. 
Starhemberg's regiment was called upon, occupied 
the fortifications, turned the captured French cannon 
about and shelled the fleeing enemy with them. The 
French at the centre fought just as doggedly. There 
Philip of Orleans and Marsin were in command. 
Three times the intrenchments were taken by the 
allies; three times they were recaptured by the 
French, until, at last, the Duke of Savoy took them 
for the fourth time — and held them. 

Thus the French were repulsed at all points. In 
great disorder they hurried toward the Po and the 
Dora. It was now the faithful Daun's turn. He 
received them, not with open arms, but with powder 
and lead instead, took part of them prisoners and 
drove the rest into the cold waters of the river, to 
cool the heat of their flight. 

Thus the rule of the French in Milan was over- 
thrown. Amidst the boundless rejoicings of the 
delivered city, Eugene made his entry into it, as its 
imperial governor. From this time the plans of 
Louis the Fourteenth were frustrated. He must 
have been sick enough with rage at the little ahhe, 
for the pills he had had to swallow in Italy were 

[99] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



bitter as gall. And still the triumphs of Germany 
over the French were not complete. While a small 
imperial force marched straight to Naples to harass 
the French there, Eugene and Victor Amadeus made 
ready to carry the war into Southern France. After 
an extremely arduous march over the Alps, they 
reached Valette, which lies about a half-hour's march 
from Toulon, and went into camp there. During 
the following days Toulon was shelled by the Aus- 
trians. Nothing more was done, however, as the 
French were gathering in ever increasing numbers; 
so Eugene wisely withdrew. The fall of Toulon was 
the dearest wish of the English and Hollanders, but 
Eugene preferred not to burn his fingers in their 
interests. Besides, from the standpoint of the sol- 
dier, his retreat through the enemy's country was 
a greater feat than the storming of Toulon would 
have been. On the road he casually took Susa; 
and he arrived again in Vienna in the Autumn of 
1707, where he was greeted at court, as well as by 
the people, as the deliverer of Italy. He met with a 
brilliant and extremely friendly reception. 



[100] 



Chapter VIII 
Malplaquet 



' I ^HE Duke of Marlborough had fought against 
I France in the Netherlands in recent years, 
with more or less success. But latterly 
fortune had turned her back upon him; Ghent, 
Brussels, Bruges, and other fortified towns had again 
fallen into the hands of the French; for Marshal 
Vendome and the Duke of Burgundy were very alert 
generals. 

One of Marlborough's letters to Lord Godolphin 
shows how deeply he felt the hopelessness of his 
situation. He wrote: "As there is a God in heaven 
I put my trust in Him, for without Him our pros- 
pects are truly terrible." Eugene did not wish to 
desert the brave Duke in this great extremity. 
To be sure, money was scarce in Vienna; Hungary 
and Siebenbiirgen could contribute nothing, the 
impoverished hereditary lands were just as unable to 
furnish sufficient ready money, and loans were to 
be had only at exorbitant rates. In addition, there 
was a split in the parties at court. They were weary 
of war, and one interfered with another's counsels 

[lOl] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



and plans. It was almost a miracle that it was pos- 
sible for Eugene to impose his plans for war upon 
the Council, and to organize a well-trained army 
in the shortest possible time. It was, no doubt, 
Marlborough's messengers of distress, and his own 
extreme sense of duty urging him not to desert 
his faithful brother-in-arms, which conquered all 
obstacles. 

With indefatigable haste Eugene set out with his 
army, crossed the Moselle on the twenty-eighth of 
June, 1708, and joined the cavalry on the third of 
July at Diiren. A few days later his army and 
Marlborough's were united. This was help in time 
of need. The first meeting of the two generals 
was touching. Marlborough embraced Eugene and 
called him his saviour. The noble Savoyard directed 
his friend to trust in God. "With His help," said 
he, "even though I pay the penalty with my life, 
I shall obtain satisfaction." 

Eugene next hurried to Brussels, which the French 
had again given up, into the arms of his mother, 
whom he had not seen since she was driven from 
France. What must have been the feelings of 
mother and son.^ Eugene had taken vengeance on 
their deadly enemy for her and the whole family 
of Soissons, and had punished and humiliated him. 
He had already twice entered France at the head of 
a victorious army, he had been successful in the 
[102I 



MALPLAQUET 



Netherlands, and the road to Paris was open to him. 
Full of happiness and enthusiasm the mother parted 
from her heroic son. And soon new tidings of vic- 
tory arrived to gladden the lonely widow. The aged 
woman passed away on the arrival of the news of 
the victory of Malplaquet (1709). She died happy, 
for her beloved son had avenged her husband and 
herself. 

Marlborough and Eugene with eighty thousand 
men came upon the enemy at Oudenarde. The 
French leaders disagreed as thoroughly among them- 
selves as the allies were united. They had forgotten 
to protect the bridges over the Scheldt. The allies 
used five of these and on the eleventh of July, 1708, 
crossed the river; as they arrived they placed them- 
selves according to battalions in battle array. 

How easily the French might have prevented this 
and have attacked the separated little companies and 
conquered them! They chose quite different tactics 
— they hastily intrenched themselves. It was the 
English Colonel Cadogan who first dealt with the 
enemy. He easily overthrew the twenty squadrons 
opposed to him, scattered four battalions of infantry, 
and in doing so he frightened three others so thor- 
oughly that they ran away without firing a shot. 

That was a merry introduction, but the real 
drama was to follow. Marlborough now advanced 
with the principal strength of the army. The 

[103] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



French defended themselves with the utmost bra- 
very; and as they were much more numerous, they 
forced the English back. But Marlborough was of 
a tenacious character. With all his might he again 
pressed forward, not only reconquering the lost 
ground, but continually advancing. Eugene knew 
how to gain successes of the same sort. The allies 
bore down ever more heavily upon the French. The 
battle became disorganized and ended in a series of 
bloody hand-to-hand skirmishes. But the English 
and Germans understood this kind of fighting also, 
for they had learned it under the murderous fire at 
Hochstadt. 

Toward evening the Hollanders received orders 
to march round the French right wing, a task that 
they accomplished with remarkable quickness and 
precision. The allies then pressed forward in a great 
half-circle and overthrew the enemy. Seven of the 
enemy's cavalry regiments were cut down, and Ven- 
dome's battalions of the guard, led by himself, were 
shattered by the iron knights of England. At sun- 
set the day had been gloriously won; a victory like 
that of Hochstadt. Vendome fled to Ghent, and there 
remained three days in bed to sleep off his chagrin. 

After the battle of Oudenarde the allied armies 
remained in the Netherlands. In Eugene's own 
words, it was now time "to profit honestly by the 
victory." 
[ 104 ] 



MALPLAQUET 



In order to accomplish this it was necessary to 
take a fortified place, and Lille or Ryssel seemed to 
Eugene the most appropriate. He was not a waverer 
or one who would discard to-morrow the plans of 
yesterday; and in this Marlborough was his faithful 
colleague. Then quickly to work! The allies shelled 
the fortress of Lille daily with a hundred and twenty 
cannon, eighty mortars, and twenty howitzers. This 
must certainly have helped matters. Marshal Ven- 
dome's fingers were itching to relieve Lille, which 
Marlborough with his seventy thousand men pre- 
vented, holding the Marshal at a good distance, so 
that Eugene could operate with freedom against the 
fortifications. At last the Austrians had opened a 
breach. Eugene was quickly on the ground. One 
night he advanced to the breach with the storming 
columns, but was very unlucky. The enemy must 
have learned of his design; they received the advan- 
cing columns with a murderous fire of grapeshot and 
also set off two powder-mines with horrible results. 
Of course the Austrians were obliged to retreat. 

But postponement is not abandonment; and the 
maxim, "A burnt child shuns the fire," did not apply 
to Eugene. One night he was again before the 
breach. All was ready for the onslaught. The 
roll of the drums and the calls of horns and trumpets 
were kindling the Austrians with enthusiasm, but 
it was a difficult piece of work. Three times they 

[los] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



were beaten back, but the fourth time they were 
successful. Several outposts were taken and occu- 
pied. During this attack Eugene was slightly 
wounded on the head. He transferred the command 
to Marlborough, knowing it to be in good hands. 

About this time Eugene received, among other 
letters, one which on opening he found to contain 
a piece of blank paper which had been soaked in 
some greasy, sticky stuff. Eugene dropped the 
paper and said: "It is not the first of its kind which 
I have received." Of course the paper was poisoned. 
It was bound about the neck of a dog, and after a 
few hours the animal died. 

But let us return to the siege of Lille. On the 
third of October the grand attack was made. Both 
sides fought with admirable courage. Eugene, as 
well as Bouffleurs, gave his men an example worthy 
of emulation; both fought in the front ranks. Eugene 
was wounded and fell to the ground. His men raised 
a shout of horror. " It is nothing! " he cried, covered 
the wound with his handkerchief and pressed for- 
ward. It was with great difficulty that his friends 
could persuade him to leave the battle-field while 
the assault was proceeding. A terrible slaughter 
began. The Frenchmen defended every inch of 
ground with heroic courage. The men fought with 
bayonets; they strangled one another with their 
hands; and all the time the heavy artillery of the 
[io6] 



MALPLAQUET 



besiegers was thundering and was opening new 
breaches here and there. Where the moats were 
not filled with wounded or dead bodies, they were 
piled up with bits of sod, gabions, and bundles of 
faggots to make them passable. At last Bouffleurs 
lost all hope of holding the city. Fighting, he re- 
tired into the citadel, which, after a defence of two 
months, he at last also surrendered to the allies. 

Without reading the conditions of surrender, 
Eugene signed the paper with the words: "Marshal 
Bouffleurs cannot demand anything which I shall 
not be able to grant!" Nobly spoken, valiant 
Knight! 

When they wished to give grand fetes at The Hague 
in honor of the Prince, he begged them rather to give 
the large sums of money which would have been 
expended to the faithful Dutch soldiers who had 
been invalided at the defence of Lille. Eugene had 
the gratifying consciousness of having also freed 
Flanders from the French by his prompt interference. 
In the following words he shows what importance 
he attributed to the campaign of 1708: "He who 
was not in it has never experienced anything." 

The peace negotiations at The Hague between the 
warring powers came to nothing. After the last 
great victories Eugene was able to press his claims 
in the name of his Emperor (Joseph the First). He 
demanded the whole undivided Spanish inheritance, 

[107] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



also Alsace and Sundgau, the bishoprics of Metz, 
Toul, and Verdun, which had formerly been unjustly 
taken from the German empire. After a long period 
of weakness in state and international affairs, this 
was once more a virile German demand. The Mar- 
quis de Lorcy, a suave French courtier, the repre- 
sentative of Louis the Fourteenth at The Hague, 
opened his eyes very wide and begged leave to 
communicate this demand to the King. As was 
anticipated, Louis declined the terms of peace. 
The storms of war began anew to discharge their 
fury upon the frightened nations. The Germans, 
together with the English and Dutch, were once 
more quickly in the field. Every one felt that the 
new campaign would be a very sanguinary one. 
The injured vanity of the French King demanded 
atonement, revenge. 

Against about one hundred thousand allies, Louis 
put one hundred and twenty thousand men in the 
field. Villars, with whom we became acquainted 
during the Italian campaign, made great promises 
to the Parisians. The first task was to take the 
fortress of Tournay from the French. This was 
successful. The next was to arrive at Mons before 
the French. It was also accomplished. This was 
Villar's debut, and the King of France was not 
greatly pleased. He sent the brave Bouffleurs after 
him to urge him on, for his confidence in Villars was 
[io8] 



MALPLAQUET 



still unshaken. Besides, Bouffleurs did not come 
alone, but brought with him a valiant troop. The 
gay Marshal was much elated; and was quite con- 
fident of victory. And with him the whole French 
army rejoiced, convinced that they should strike 
the Germans a deadly blow and then themselves 
dictate the terms of peace. 

While the French gave themselves up to these 
undue rejoicings, Eugene and Marlborough were 
composedly making all arrangements to wreck the 
Marshal's plan and spoil his fun. They quickly 
set out with ninety thousand men and occupied all 
the highways, in order to prevent the enemy from 
reaching Mons. 

Mons lies in the province of Hainaut. This 
region is hilly for the most part, cut up by gorges 
and little streams, and covered thickly with timber. 
In front of Marlborough's position lay the forest 
of Laniere; in front of Eugene's, the forest of Tais- 
niere. The corner which juts out toward the north 
is called the forest of Sart. Between the above- 
mentioned forests lie Aulnoit and the Wolf's Cave. 
The first was occupied by Marlborough, and the last 
by Eugene; between them was a series of more or 
less deep ravines. It was in no respect a well- 
selected position; it was taken only because it was 
necessary to put themselves quickly on the defensive 
against a threatened attack of the enemy. 

[109] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



Villars's centre stood upon the clearing of Aulnoit, 
his wings were covered hy the above-mentioned 
forests. Besides this he had intrenchments thrown 
up in haste and barricades constructed. He must 
have been somewhat nervous. The alHed generals 
observed the enemy's position from the windmill 
at Sart. Their plan was to engage the attention of 
the enemy's centre by a feigned attack, while they 
really were trying to throw the left wing from its 
position. Between Marlborough and Eugene, eigh- 
teen battalions of imperial infantry were posted. 

In the early hours of a cold, wet, September morn- 
ing, the ninth, the allied armies quietly gathered under 
their standards, while the Frenchmen, on the other 
hand, being confident of an easy victory, were cheer- 
ing continuously for their King and for Marshal 
Villars. As usual the thunder of the cannon opened 
the battle. Amidst their brazen clangor, the Saxons 
under Schulenberg pressed forward on the edge of 
the forest of Sart to within pistol-shot of the enemy. 
But there the valiant Albergotti opened such a heavy 
musketry fire on them that the battalions at the 
front fell back panic-stricken and were stopped only 
by those behind them. United they pushed forward 
once more, Eugene leading them. The first redoubt 
was taken by storm, and soon afterwards the second 
also was taken. Eugene's infantry followed eagerly 
in the victorious path of their advancing comrades, 

[no] 



MALPLAQUET 



but were soon retarded by a thick growth of bushes 
and trees. The battalions were separated and at 
last became thoroughly disordered. The worst of 
it was, that they came upon a fresh barricade of 
logs. But great as the difficulties were, they were 
conquered at last; the forest of Sart was taken, and 
the French driven out of it. 

While these events were taking place in Eugene's 
division, the Prussian General von Lottum, of Marl- 
borough's division, with twenty-two battalions, made 
a daring attack on the principal front of the French 
left wing, where Villars himself commanded. Al- 
though whole ranks of the faithful grenadiers fell 
before the enemy's grapeshot and musketry hail, 
they worked their way forward with astonishing 
endurance and had the pleasure of seeing Villars 
retreating behind the forest. 

While he was busy re-forming his line of battle he 
was surprised by the Prince of Orange with thirty 
battalions. A fierce fight ensued. The French 
defended themselves heroically and repulsed their 
assailants. But not for long; for Eugene came to 
the rescue. On horseback he reduced the wild con- 
fusion of the battle, encouraging here, praising there, 
or consoling. Once more he was wounded by a 
musket ball, in the back of his head. He had no 
time to have the wound dressed. To his remon- 
strating friends he smilingly said: " If I should die, the 

[III] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



bandage would do me no good, and if I live, the 
surgeon can do his work this evening." Thus he 
plunged again into the fury of the battle. And still 
there was no decisive victory although Marlborough's 
and Eugene's troops fought so bravely. But the 
heroic Prince's eye is alert and is watching, in spite 
of great loss of blood and intense pain from the 
wound in his head. 

At last the decisive moment came. Hazarding a 
last tremendous blow, for his troops were exhausted 
by the long struggle, Villars sent thirty battalions 
with lowered bayonets against Eugene. In order 
to do this he had drawn a large part of the infantry 
from the redoubts on his right, which Bouffleurs 
until now had defended so heroically. Eugene im- 
mediately espied the vulnerable point and, gather- 
ing his infantry together, he dashed upon the much 
weakened left wing of the foe. Here another terrible 
struggle took place. But all their bravery and heroic 
devotion availed the French nothing. At the head 
of his men Eugene broke through their centre. His 
men were not to be held back any longer. Starhem- 
berg's cavalry rode and cut down everything that 
resisted them; the platoon fire of several Prussian 
battalions likewise did terrible destruction. The 
French fled. 

The other wing of the allies was equally fortunate. 
Excited by the victorious shouts of the Germans, 

[112] 




p 



RINCE EUGENE 

bejore the battle of Malplaquet 



MALPLAQUET 



the English were not left behind. With fifteen 
battalions supported by seventeen squadrons under 
Billow, Orkney took the intrenchments at Bleron. 
The Prince of Orange, the hero of the day, again 
took an important part in the battle; and although 
an extremely fierce cavalry skirmish ensued upon 
the plain of Malplaquet and the Frenchmen enjoyed 
a few victorious moments, the imperial cavalry from 
the other wing, appearing like a stormcloud on the 
field of battle, overwhelmed the enemy with tre- 
mendous force. They gave way and fled. Un- 
fortunately, the allies were too exhausted to pursue 
them effectually. Only twelve squadrons of the 
imperial cavalry harassed them on their retreat, 
which was conducted skilfully by Bouffleurs. 

The battle of Malplaquet, as the fight over the 
French intrenchments was called, was one of the 
fiercest of the War of the Spanish Succession. 
The loss on both sides in dead and wounded was 
about the same, probably about thirty-six thousand 
men. The great battle-field was horrible to look 
upon. Where the Dutch battalions of the guard 
had stood, the corpses lay in ranks before the 
intrenchments, most of them stripped of their clothes 
and horribly mutilated. The moats were filled to 
the top with dead bodies. The allied victors spent 
the night upon the battle-field. What a night! as 
terrible as the day had been! 

[113] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



The battle of Malplaquet was the last in the long 
and extremely bloody War of the Spanish Succession, 
excepting several clever operations against the 
French, and minor encounters. For a long time 
the discussions over "mine" and "thine" continued. 
The French were scarcely able to resign themselves, 
but at last, after negotiations between the several 
States, in February, 17 14, peace was made between 
the Emperor Charles the Sixth (Joseph the First had 
died in 171 1) and King Louis the Fourteenth of 
France at Rastadt. This was for the most part 
Eugene's work; and his opponent at the green table 
was Marshal Villars. Eugene raised his voice power- 
fully in Germany's interest; Germany was indebted 
to him for whatever he succeeded in obtaining under 
many unfortunate and unfavorable circumstances. 
France kept Landau, but resigned the other terri- 
tories which she had conquered; Milan, Naples, 
Sardinia, and the Spanish Netherlands passed to the 
Emperor. 

Villars and Eugene parted friends at Rastadt. 
They had learned to respect one another. At their 
farewell Villars uttered these parting words: "Your 
foes are not in the enemy's camp, but in Vienna, 
as mine are in Versailles." This was a prophecy 
which was later to be fulfilled in a terrible manner. 



[114] 



Chapter IX 
Eugene at Belgrade 




FTER a few years of peace we see Eugene 
again taking up his sword against the 
Turks. The Venetians needed assistance 
against the Sublime Porte. At first it was thought 
that all difficulties could be settled by the pen, but 
the gentlemen in Constantinople assumed such an 
arrogant tone that it was impossible for Vienna to 
countenance it. Besides, the imperial house was 
much more powerful than in former days, when the 
Turks had advanced to the very gates of Vienna. 
Having vanquished the French, Austria was con- 
fident that she could conquer the Turks also. But 
the latter thought otherwise and were determined 
to regain what they had lost, at all costs. We shall 
see what happened. 

Appointed imperial Governor-General of the Neth- 
erlands — no slight proof of the boundless confidence 
of his Emperor and master — Prince Eugene of 
Savoy prepared for a valiant defence against the 
grimmest foe of Christendom. 

Surrounded by a group of heroes, including the 

[IIS] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



daring Heister (called "the scourge of the Turks"), 
the excellent cavalry commander Palffy, Prince 
Alexander of Wiirttemberg, the faithful Mercy, the 
expert soldier Starhemberg, and others, he left 
Vienna in order to join the army which was gathering 
at Peterwardein, in the Summer of 1716. 

The Turks meanwhile had not been dilatory. 
Their army, numbering at least two hundred thou- 
sand men, was, according to Turkish standards, well 
fitted out and amply furnished with all requisites. 
Relying upon this, the Grand Vizier Ali wrote to 
the Field-Marshal General, Prince Eugene, among 
other things, these words: "The Ottoman Empire 
expects to win much glory and many victories in 
this campaign, whereas your shameful conduct will 
bring, not only upon you, but upon your children 
and grandchildren, misfortunes and curses and a 
shameful defeat." The Turks put on an air of inno- 
cence, but every one knew just what to expect from 
them. 

It was not long before the two armies were stand- 
ing face to face, for both sides appeared to be in 
great haste. Field-Marshal Palffy, with a small 
body of men, hazarded a bold ride in order to recon- 
noitre the enemy's position. Their expedition led 
them through ravines and ditches and demanded a 
great deal of courage. Suddenly twenty thousand 
Turkish horsemen fell upon Palffy's company of 

[116] 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

scarcely two thousand men. In this rough country 
retreat and advance were equally dangerous; it was 
a desperate situation. But their gallant leader did 
not lose his head. He and his men defended them- 
selves bravely and the enemy were badly worsted 
in spite of their advantage in numbers; and PalfFy 
got safely back to Eugene. It now seemed as though 
the Turks were preparing to besiege Peterwardein. 
They dug trenches, threw up earthworks, erected 
redoubts, and continually shelled Eugene's position. 

He was not the man to put up quietly with these 
annoyances for any length of time. His plan was 
to attack the enemy before they had become estab- 
lished in their new position or had seized the means 
for an energetic defence. With his characteristic 
rapidity Eugene made all his arrangements for an 
attack. The fourth of August was to be the deci- 
sive day. The Turks must have noticed that some- 
thing was about to happen. They were stirring 
very early; and as it grew lighter, one could see hill 
and valley covered with the countless ranks of their 
hosts. 

At seven o'clock in the morning, Eugene's left 
wing commenced the attack. Prince Alexander of 
Wiirttemberg led the first storming column. With- 
out meeting with any particular resistance he took 
one of the enemy's batteries, while the imperial 
cavalry, which followed his infantry, put the Turkish 

[117] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



horsemen to flight. The troops were overjoyed at 
this; but the hardest work was still to come. Simul- 
taneously with this attack, the imperial infantry, 
which was occupying the other intrenchments, was 
to advance on the enemy. In the narrow passages 
of the earthworks this manoeuvre was not executed 
with the expected precision. It took longer to form 
the ranks outside the intrenchments than had been 
expected. Taking advantage of this, the Turks 
threw themselves on the advancing enemy in over- 
powering numbers. With fierce cries they drove 
them back, pushing forward with them into the first 
and second lines of intrenchments, but were quickly 
driven out again by the imperial cavalry, which came 
dashing up. 

The infantry re-formed their ranks and again 
rapidly advanced. There was another terrific en- 
counter. The imperial cuirassiers held the advan- 
tage; whatever came within reach was cut down 
by their terrific blows. The light Turkish cavalry 
were scattered like spray before the wind. However, 
they still fought with iron endurance and were even 
successful here and there. One section of the im- 
perial infantry was repulsed again and again. The 
Turks, with loud cries of victory, began the pursuit 
in the heat of the fight; but in doing so exposed both 
of their flanks. 

This was the moment for Eugene to strike a 
[ii8] 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

decisive blow. With the rapidity of lightning he 
threw Heister's cavalry on the left wing of the enemy. 
The battalions of the Prince of Wiirttemberg attacked 
them on the right and in the centre; the scattered 
columns were re-forming for a new and victorious 
assault. Attacked from three sides at once with 
great fury, shelled by the cannon from the walls of 
Peterwardein, succumbing in bloody bayonet fights 
with their antagonists, and overthrown in a hand-to- 
hand struggle with the more powerful German sol- 
diers, the Turks turned for a hurried flight. After 
them in furious haste stormed the German cavalry. 
Whole regiments were cut down and others taken 
prisoners. The Germans assaulted the last strong- 
hold of the Turks, their wagon-barricade: further 
resistance was useless. 

While the imperial commander Prince Eugene, 
on horseback and exposed to all the hardships and 
dangers of the fight, had been directing the battle, 
the Grand Vizier Ali had not for a moment left 
his tent, where he had been standing immovable 
beside the sacred banner of the Prophet. The 
flight of his troops at last aroused him. With his 
naked sabre he went to meet the fleeing men and 
cut down several of them. He implored, he com- 
manded, he cursed them. All in vain. The current 
of flight and defeat was not to be stemmed. He 
then placed himself at the head of his bodyguard, 

[119] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



plunged into the tide of battle, and soon fell mortally 
wounded. His defeated and disorganized army 
hastened on to Belgrade. Temesvar was taken by 
the Austrians. Eugene had occasion once more to 
hold a thanksgiving service on the field of battle. 

Eugene's victory at Peterwardein caused great 
enthusiasm throughout the whole of Europe. The 
Savoyard was the feted hero of young and old, aris- 
tocrat and humble citizen. While the blessings of 
the whole German people were following him on 
his path of victory, the monarchs of Europe were 
vying with one another in offering him tokens of 
their admiration and gratitude. The Pope pre- 
sented him with a consecrated hat and sword, and 
Marshal Villars honored the famous hero of Peter- 
wardein with a personal letter. 

Although the defeat of the Turks had been so 
complete and so terrible, they could not rest until 
they tried their luck in a second campaign. The 
whole of Europe rejoiced over this news, not doubting 
that the old arch-enemy of Christendom would now 
receive his death-blow. Young nobles and the chief 
princes flocked to the imperial standards in order 
to join in the fight against the Turks and to study 
the art of war under Eugene's leadership. As usual, 
he was now prompt and ready. On the ninth of 
June, 1717, he set out from Peterwardein; on the 
fourteenth he was at Pancsova; and on the fifteenth 

[120] 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

and sixteenth the imperial army crossed the Danube. 
He purposed no less a feat than "to reconquer for 
the Emperor" the fortress of Belgrade, which was 
garrisoned by thirty thousand picked Turkish 
troops. This was an extremely hazardous under- 
taking, for two hundred thousand Turks under 
command of the Grand Vizier Chalis of Adrianople 
were already on their way to interfere with his plans. 
But in spite of this, the Christian army was in good 
spirits, and their confidence was absolute in their 
general, who was bold, as well as gifted, and seasoned 
in battle. 

This occasion again brought Into play all the re- 
sources of Eugene's genius. He had to prepare for 
defence in two directions: first, against a sortie of 
the garrison; and secondly, against an attack from 
the Turkish army of relief. For this purpose he 
protected his camp by quickly constructed fort-like 
walls, deep, wide trenches, earthworks, and rifle- 
pits. At the same time he caused exits to be made 
in the principal wall here and there, so that in case 
of danger from the outside, his men would be able 
to reach the open field quickly. He bridged over 
the morasses, caused the sconce of the Semlin bridge 
on the Banat side of the Danube to be garrisoned, 
the island in the Danube at Belgrade to be protected 
by redoubts — in short he did everything that fore- 
thought and care could suggest to hold off and if 

[121] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



possible to crush an enemy possessing three times 
his strength. 

In the midst of these extensive preparations for 
the battle Eugene was surprised by a fearful natural 
catastrophe. A mighty hurricane broke loose, tear- 
ing the heavy iron chains that bound the ships, as 
though they had been hempen ropes, destroying the 
bridges which had been constructed, and dashing 
the Austrian and Turkish vessels lying in the Danube 
into a confused heap. Taking advantage of this 
disturbance, ten thousand Turks crossed the Save to 
take the Austrian intrenchments. An unexampled 
confusion took possession of the Germans; but a 
Hessian captain, quickly gathering together his half 
company, threw himself against the numerous ad- 
vancing foes. He had the courage and good fortune 
to be able to hold his ground until two grenadier 
companies hurried to the scene and drove back the 
enemy. While this event was taking place, the 
janissaries had fixed their attention upon the Austrian 
intrenchments. With resounding cries to Allah 
they were soon inside, massacring the bewildered 
Austrian soldiers, but were as quickly surprised by 
two hundred and fifty cuirassiers, who came dashing 
up to ride them down or drive them into the angry 
waters of the Danube. At the same time the impe- 
rial batteries opened a murderous fire on Belgrade. 
Large sections of the fortifications were levelled to 

[122] 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

the ground, and the water-front of the city was laid 
in ruins. Then the news was brought to Prince 
Eugene that Chalis was approaching with reinforce- 
ments. At first, merely a rumor to which little 
credence was given, it soon turned out to be a fact. 
Hussars and Servians began to arrive at the forti- 
fications, which had already been occupied by their 
forerunners, the light Turkish Cavalry skirmishers. 

A few days later, Eugene had the foe before and 
behind him. Shelled from all sides, Eugene needed 
great coolness. Thousands would have lost their 
heads in such a situation. His resolution was 
taken. While a very small part of his army kept 
guard over Belgrade, with the remaining forty thou- 
sand men he boldly challenged the Grand Vizier 
Chalis. Eugene's situation at Belgrade recalls in 
many respects that of Werder at Belfort. The 
infantry formed the centre, the cavalry was posted 
on the wings. No one could deceive himself as to 
the seriousness of the situation. There were but 
two courses open; to conquer, or to die! And in 
a council of war Eugene said plainly enough: 
"Either I shall gain possession of Belgrade or the 
Turks will take me." 

The officers were commanded to give their orders 
coolly and quietly, without shouting or showing im- 
patience. Neither officer nor soldier was allowed 
to leave his appointed place, and no one on pain of 

[123] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



death should seek for spoils or plunder. Lastly, 
the soldiers were reminded that they had to do with 
Turks, Tartars, and enemies of that sort, from whom 
there was little to fear if they were met with due 
coolness and firmness. Shortly after midnight the 
regiments moved out of the intrenchments to place 
themselves in battle array. 

It was a cold, clear night in August, so the Turks 
could observe the marching of the troops. It was 
not until nearly daylight that a fog covered the 
landscape, so dense that the nearest objects could 
not be distinguished. Enveloped in this gray veil 
the Austrians advanced on the Turkish fortifica- 
tions. The fog was now so thick that in spite of 
all precautions Palffy's cavalry lost their way. As 
the infantry had orders to follow the cavalry, they 
also got too far to the right. In this way an empty 
space was left in the centre, which the Turks imme- 
diately filled out with several battalions, so that 
they were in the midst of the Austrian position. 

Thus the battle began; and soon the whole right 
wing was involved in a bitter fight. Palify's cav- 
alry were worthy of all honor; every one of them 
fought like a hero, but against such overwhelming 
numbers their destruction was certain. It was 
General von Mercy who hurried to the relief of his 
brothers-in-arms ; the gallant Starhemberg also, 
with his infantry, was not behindhand. With irre- 

[124] 




p 



RINCE EUGENE 

at Belgrade 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

sistible energy the battalions attacked the enemy at 
the front, and the cavalry fell upon his flank. Such 
an onslaught could not be sustained for any length 
of time. The Turks fled, leaving their batteries in 
the hands of the Austrians. 

During this fighting on the right wing, the battle 
broke out gradually along the whole line. The fog 
had become still denser and more impenetrable. 
Both sides fired without being able to see one 
another. In slow marching order the Austrian 
infantry moved forward. Coming upon the Turk- 
ish trenches they took them quickly by storm and 
crossed over upon the corpses of their foes. 

In other parts of the great battle-field the Turks 
were gaining the advantage. A large body of their 
troops, led astray by the fog, found itself again 
between the two separated wings of the Austrians. 
That meant some desperate fighting. Toward eight 
o'clock in the morning a light breeze at last scattered 
the mists which, until now, had hidden the battle- 
field. 

A single glance over the confused panorama showed 
Eugene the fearful danger in which he stood. It 
was such moments as these, however, which demon- 
strated his greatness. With him decision and exe- 
cution were one. The enemy must not be allowed 
to make use of their advantage. Prince von Bevern 
received orders to throw himself impetuously upon 

[I2S] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



them with the second division; Eugene at the head 
of the united cavalry regiments stormed their flanks. 
The Turks defended themselves lustily, especially 
as they had now discovered, too late, their favorable 
position. There was no power to resist the tremen- 
dous onslaught of the Austrians, the Turks wavered, 
gave way; the battle line was once more established. 
And now the drums rolled, the horns pealed forth, 
and the flags waved aloft — the signal for a general 
attack on the Turkish camp all along the line. 

There were many bleeding heads; there was no 
holding back on either side; they surged back and 
forth. Only one Turkish battery upon a hill was 
holding its own. From its eighteen cannon it poured 
forth death and destruction upon the advancing 
Austrians. This must be taken and silenced. Ten 
companies of grenadiers and four battalions whose 
wings were covered by squadrons of cavalry were 
assigned the task of taking the battery by storm. 
With flying banners and bands playing, marching 
close together, shoulder to shoulder as compact as 
a wall, the brave fellows pressed forward. They 
were met by a terrific fire, which tore deep gaps in 
their ranks. Regardless of their falling comrades, 
passing over their wounded and dead bodies, they 
pressed onward with loud cries of victory, and 
reached the top. Without firing a shot, with lowered 
bayonets they charged the enemy (mostly janissaries) 

[126] 



EUGENE AT BELGRADE 

like a stormcloud, until all were cut down and the 
battery was taken. 

It was exactly nine o'clock in the morning when 
the enemy left their fortified camp in great haste. 
The gradually decreasing thunder of the Austrian 
cannon accompanied them, but the light cavalry 
pursued the defeated Turks. It was a great battle 
and a great victory! The Turks lost about twenty 
thousand men, while Eugene's loss was but fifteen 
hundred. The trophies of war included nearly two 
hundred cannon, one hundred and fifty flags, and 
nine horsetails, not forgetting the captured treasure 
in the deserted Turkish camp, consisting of bejewelled 
weapons and other articles of luxury. 

Eugene sent General Count Hamilton at once 
with news of the victory to the Emperor, Charles 
the Sixth. The anxious suspense of all minds had 
been so great on account of Eugene's dangerous 
situation that the rejoicings were unbounded. As 
Count Hamilton, according to the custom of that 
time, after having delivered his message to the 
Emperor, accompanied by the pealing tones of the 
six postillions of "the Favorite" who rode before 
him, passed through the Karnthner gate into the 
city, across the moat and by way of the Kohlmarkt 
to the Castle, the crowds were so great that the 
carriage could scarcely make its way through them. 
A few days later, Colonel Count Rabutin brought 

[127] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



the news that Belgrade also had surrendered. Nearly 
six hundred cannon, the whole flotilla on the Danube, 
and a great deal of ammunition fell into the hands 
of the victors. 

One year later, after the Turks had been defeated 
in several more small skirmishes and battles, Prince 
Eugene made peace with them, in the name of the 
Emperor, at Passarowitz. Banat, Slavonia, a part 
of Bosnia, Servia, and Wallachia passed over to 
Austria, not forgetting Hungary, which had been 
conquered before this. The strangest part of the 
affair was, that even the Turkish Sultan could not 
abstain from showing Eugene how highly he esteemed 
him. The Turkish ambassador was instructed to 
present the Prince with two Arabian horses, a costly 
sword, and a turban. At the same time he accom- 
panied the presents with the explanation: "The 
sabre is the symbol of your valor; the others are 
for your keen wit, your wise counsel, and wiser 
execution." 



[128] 



Chapter X 
Last Days 



AFTER a peaceful interval of sixteen years, 
during which Eugene had devoted himself 
to the study of the arts and sciences, he was 
obliged once more to take up his sword. France was 
again menacing the peace of Europe. She was not 
willing that the Elector of Saxony should become 
King of Poland, but presented another candidate and 
seized this opportunity of picking a quarrel with 
Austria and Germany. Eugene therefore found him- 
self promptly seated in the saddle once more, ready to 
show the King of France (now Louis the Fifteenth) 
that he still understood his profession. Unfortu- 
nately this war was begun and conducted in a very 
sleepy fashion, so that Eugene had only twenty 
thousand men to oppose the one hundred and twenty 
thousand Frenchmen, instead of the imposing army 
originally promised him by the Emperor; and even 
though this small number was gradually doubled 
by accessions of Prussians and other troops of the 
empire, it was not possible to undertake anything 
important with them. In spite of this Eugene 

[129] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



manoeuvred so cleverly with his little army that in 
a two-years' campaign (1734-1735) France gained 
no great advantage on the Rhine and took possession 
only of Philippsburg. 

As things stood — the Emperor without money, 
the army unpaid and without bread — it was alm.ost 
a miracle that France did not gain more advantages. 
It was Eugene, the conqueror at Zenta, Hochstadt, 
Turin, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Peterwardein, and 
Belgrade who prevented it. In this war against 
France Eugene made the personal acquaintance of 
the Crown Prince of Prussia, later King Frederick 
the Great. Frederick greeted the noble Knight 
with the significant words: "I should like to be 
allowed to witness the manner in which a hero collects 
his laurels." 

Eugene felt a real attachment for the Crown 
Prince. He regretted that he had not had the good 
fortune to become acquainted with him earlier, and 
said to him, "My Prince, everything about you con- 
vinces me that you will one day become a great mili- 
tary leader." Once when Frederick had cordially 
saluted the Duke of Wlirttemberg, who was an old 
friend, Eugene turned to him with the words, "Will 
your Majesty not kiss my old cheek also?" a request 
with which Frederick immediately complied: a 
touching, token of the hearty esteem in which the 
aspiring young hero held the old retiring one. 

[130] 



LAST DAYS 



In the late Autumn of 1735 peace was made. 
The Emperor Charles the Sixth suffered the loss of 
some territory in Italy, but had the great satisfaction 
of seeing France recognize the Pragmatic Sanction 
(the right of accession of the female line of the house 
of Hapsburg). Peace! For the present only a 
short earthly peace; but the noble Knight was not 
far from the eternal rest. But we must touch upon 
other things before bringing this sketch to a close. 

We have intentionally described Eugene in the 
character of a soldier and hero first, and have thus 
passed over many events of his life. Let us now 
return several years into the past; it will show us 
how even the best and greatest of men are subject 
to enmity and slander. The reader may remember 
Marshal Villars's remark at Rastadt: "Eugene's 
enemies are not in the French camp, but in Vienna." 
Probably Eugene did not let these words trouble 
him much at the time, for who is without enemies.^ 
The man is still to be born who is able to please 
everybody. But Villars's remark had a significance 
which Eugene was to understand better some years 
later. 

In the last two campaigns against the Turks, 
Eugene had conferred the greatest glory on the 
Austrian arms. He was the most admired hero in 
the imperial army, and possessed the undisputed 
love and esteem of his Emperor and of the whole 



PRINCE EUGENE 



German people. Although all this gratified the 
noble-minded Prince, it did not make him proud 
or arrogant, as fools in such a situation are apt to 
be. On the contrary, he pursued the even tenor of 
his way, flattering no one, though flattery is quite 
customary and expected at court. War and a 
long life spent in the camp had lent his manner 
a certain bluntness. He never tried to conceal his 
meaning, and he spoke as he felt. This did not please 
many of the courtiers; they took it for granted that 
it bespoke a high opinion of his own merits. The 
wings of this proud eagle, they thought, who in 
eagle fashion aspired to mount to the sun, must be 
clipped. 

As president of the Royal Council of War — the 
highest dignity in the state next to the Emperor — 
Prince Eugene had a great, if not the greatest influ- 
ence in all business of state. Whatever he had once 
decided was right and good he would carry out, 
whether he was looked askance at for it or not. He 
urged the regulation of the finances, which, as we 
know, were in bad condition at that time in Austria. 
He demanded great economy in all affairs, and abol- 
ished a great many abuses. Among other things 
he procured a decree that no one should be allowed 
to buy his rank as an oflicer in the army, but that 
only those should be chosen who were really capable 
and worthy of the position. Next, he turned his 

[132] 



LAST DAYS 



attention to the corrupt practice of favoritism shown 
to distinguished relatives, which at that time was 
much in vogue in Vienna. He provided better care 
for the soldiers, but demanded also stricter discipline 
and subordination in the army. Of course this was 
a slap in the face for many. It was especially un- 
comfortable for the higher classes, where the greatest 
abuses had become habitual. 

Now, the best cure was a radical one — to remove 
the noble Prince Eugene. But how.^ It was not 
very easy to overthrow such a man as this. The 
Spanish party at court understood the matter, 
however, and applied the lever at the right point; 
in other words, they began with the Emperor Charles 
the Sixth, who guarded his prerogatives anxiously 
and jealously. He could not endure that any one 
should presume to exercise any control over him 
even from a distance. So the Spaniards and French- 
men whispered in his ear that Eugene was seeking 
to become a second Wallenstein; that the army was 
on his side; that it was most dangerous to give him 
freedom to carry out his ambitious plans. 

Furthermore, Eugene was accused of iexpressing 
himself very openly on political questions in favor 
of Hungary, at the house of Countess Batthiany, 
a Hungarian. Others declared that he was jealous 
of the fame of his subordinates. They said that in 
order to test Guido Starhemberg's intrepidity he had 

[133] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



caused bombs to be placed under the table before 
a banquet and had them exploded at the moment 
when Starhemberg was just about to propose the 
Emperor's health; and that Starhemberg was not 
at all disconcerted, but had coolly emptied his glass. 
Not content with this, they accused Eugene of 
having needlessly sacrificed a great many soldiers 
in the last war, and of having favored the cavalry 
at the expense of the infantry. In short, they found 
abundant matter for malicious attacks on him for 
his desperate situation at Belgrade where he had 
allowed himself to be surrounded by superior 
numbers. Of course they prudently failed to recall 
his brilliant victory. 

All this had its effect; these malicious slanders 
succeeded in undermining the Emperor's confidence, 
which had appeared to be so absolute, and in a short 
time produced such a complete revolution in his 
sentiments for the Prince that he suddenly regarded 
his deeds and aspirations with changed eyes. In- 
deed, distrust and entire estrangement took the 
place of his former grateful regard. The men who 
encouraged this wicked calumny because they wished 
to ruin Eugene at all costs and drive him from the 
court were miserable tools of the Spanish court 
party, particularly of a certain Tedeschi, a spend- 
thrift abbot, who played the clown and fun-maker 
at court, as well as the Count von Nimptsch, brother- 

[134] 



LAST DAYS 



in-law of the Emperor's favorite, Althan. Herr 
Althan himself and the Marquis von Thomas, the 
ambassador of Duke Victor Amadeus of Savoy, 
were also secretly concerned in this disgraceful affair. 
But the truth of the old maxim proved itself in this 
instance: "It is a long road which has no turning." 

This treachery came to light through another's 
treachery. The valet of Count von Nimptsch, an 
enthusiastic admirer of the high-minded Prince 
Eugene, discovered the tricks of his master, possessed 
himself of written proofs of his treachery, took them 
to headquarters, and laid them before Prince Eugene. 

What a surprise all this vileness was to the Prince! 
At first he could not and would not believe it. He 
could not imagine that the party had sunk so low. 
But there it was, black on white, it v/as a fact. His 
enemies had basely slandered him in order to accom- 
plish his ruin. 

Eugene did not hesitate a moment, but went 
straight to the Emperor, not in order to justify him- 
self — for with his high character he did not feel it 
necessary — but to demand just punishment of the 
miserable slanderers. "Your Majesty," he said, "a 
pernicious plot has been concocted against me. 
Miserable slanderers have conspired against my honor 
and robbed me of the precious favor of my beloved 
Emperor. I demand satisfaction!" Eugene then 
revealed what had been done behind his back and 

[135] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



named the dishonorable traitors openly. He could 
speak in plain terms, for a good conscience was his 
best weapon. 

The Emperor was seized with the most painful 
embarrassment; he was silent with surprise — and 
shame. 

But this did not satisfy Eugene. "I demand full 
satisfaction," said he firmly. "If this should be 
refused me, I shall be obliged to lay all my offices 
and honors at Your Majesty's feet. But I shall call 
upon all Europe to sit in judgment on the terrible 
injury which has been done me in case such an insult 
shall remain unpunished." 

The Emperor tried to soothe the aggrieved hero, 
embraced him, and expressed the hope that they 
might still remain the same good old friends. 

But this did not satisfy Eugene. He repeatedly 
demanded full satisfaction. He affirmed that the 
affair had gone too far for him to be put off with 
mere words, and that otherwise he must demand his 
dismissal. 

The Emperor could not refuse. He gave Eugene 
his hand and ordered, in the first place, the arrest 
of Nimptsch and Tedeschi. A short time afterwards 
a special commission was assembled to conduct the 
investigation of the affair. It went forward very 
slowly, for the commissioners were loath to compro- 
mise people in high stations. During this time 

1136] 



LAST DAYS 



Eugene did not engage in any business of state, so 
that all public affairs came to a standstill. At last 
the head of the investigation commission, Count 
von Windischgratz, made an end of the dilatory 
proceedings. He boldly informed the Emperor that 
it would be a perpetual disgrace to his Government 
if Prince Eugene, to whom the Austrian house owed 
eternal gratitude, should become the victim of a 
vile intrigue. He begged the Emperor to bring the 
guilty ones to justice and to carry out the sentence 
of the court without fear or favor. That was effect- 
ive. The affair began to move rapidly. On the 
morning of the twelfth of December, 17 19, the sen- 
tence of Tedeschi was read in front of the Corn 
Exchange, the Court House of that day, and was 
immediately executed. He was obliged to endure 
two hours in the pillory and received thirty heavy 
blows of the rod by the executioner. After this pro- 
cedure he was driven in a cart outside the Karnthner 
gate to the Tyrol road, where he was made to 
take an oath never to return to Austria. Count 
Nimptsch was taken in a closed carriage to Gratz, 
where he had to suffer two years' imprisonment, 
after which he was forever banished from Vienna. 
Althan escaped with a black eye, so to speak, and 
the Savoyan ambassador. Marquis von Thomas, 
might consider himself lucky in escaping the excited 
populace of Vienna unharmed. 

[137] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



This was the atonement which the Emperor 
Charles the Sixth made to Prince Eugene. After 
these events they became as good friends as they had 
formerly been, and the Emperor took every oppor- 
tunity of showing by word and deed the warmest 
devotion to the Prince, as hundreds of personal 
letters from the Emperor to his faithful paladin 
testify. Eugene's health was of special concern to 
the Emperor, to show which a single document will 
sufhce. A letter from- the Emperor, dated November 
27, 1729, ended with the very cordial words: "I 
implore you, my Prince, to take care of your health. 
Remember that we are growing older and not 
younger. Be careful of yourself, therefore, out of 
consideration for me, for I love you and embrace 
you heartily." 

There remains nothing more to tell except of our 
hero's peculiarities of temperament, his manner of 
life, his character, and his death. 

First of all we must defend Prince Eugene *from 
the suspicion that he loved war. He regarded it 
as a necessary evil, but when it was no longer to be 
avoided he did not fear it. He did not hate the 
French and fight against them because the King had 
caused him and his family much sorrow and dis- 
grace in his earliest youth, but because he considered 
them Germany's most bitter enemies, as they were 
continually seeking at all costs to injure her. He 

[138] 



LAST DAYS 



fought the Turks as the enemies of Christendom. 
He had so often seen the horrors of war which these 
barbarians had inflicted on the country and its 
people that it was no wonder he gladly battled 
with them and did everything in his power to deliver 
the civilized world from them. 

Prince Eugene was a religious man, but did not 
parade his piety, as so many do. His modesty 
and humility, his untiring care for his soldiers, his 
beneficence and charity, were the outpouring of his 
religious nature. Eugene never let fall a word in 
praise of himself, and was always just to his subordi- 
nates and all his officers. It was also a trait of his 
noble character that he never censured deserving men. 
If, however, his duty made this necessary, he did it 
privately or in the presence of the Emperor, to whom 
he was accountable. He was a real father to his 
soldiers. He cared for them in every possible way, 
visiting the sick and wounded, and comforting the 
dying. It was no wonder that they were devoted 
to him. 

He exercised an almost magical influence over 
them, which we must the more admire, because 
Prince Eugene was lacking in all the externals which 
usually make the deepest impression on people of 
the lower classes and on great masses. For, as we 
already know, he was small and insignificant-looking; 
besides, he did not understand the German language 

[139] 



PRINCE EUGENE 



any too well, and was lacking in the eloquence which 
inflames the soldier to deeds of valor and inspires 
him to hasten recklessly into danger. But his affa- 
bility and impartiality, his personal courage and 
the abandon with which he would place himself at 
the head of a storming column, sharing discomfort, 
want, misery, heat, and cold with his soldiers, com- 
pensated for the lack of external beauty. Under his 
leadership the troops felt themselves to be invincible. 
To use an old phrase: under him they would have 
undertaken to drive the devil out of hell. 

At the same time Eugene had extremely clear 
judgment, not only amid the wild confusion of battle, 
where, as we have read, this quality very often in- 
clined the victory to his side by means of prompt 
and energetic action, but also in his many other 
offices and affairs of state. He was always wise in 
the choice of his co-workers, gave them his full 
confidence, and scarcely ever was disappointed or 
deceived by one of them. As we have said, Eugene 
did not understand the German language well, and 
could scarcely write it at all. He always signed 
German reports or ordinances : '' Eugenio von Savoy." 
This has been explained as follows: Eugene wished 
to indicate his extraction by the Italian word "Euge- 
nio," his adopted fatherland by the German "von," 
and his birthland by the French "Savoy." However 
that may be, it is certain that Eugene devoted himself 
[140] 



LAST DAYS 



heart and soul to Germany and to the imperial 
house to the end of his days. He never forgot that, 
as an unknown and virtually banished youth, he 
had found a friendly and hospitable reception on 
German soil. Eugene's life was a perpetual expres- 
sion of gratitude for this; and to Austria in particular 
he rendered imperishable services. 

It is historic fact that not only the Emperor Charles 
the Sixth, but other competent judges, have acknowl- 
edged these services. King Frederick the Second 
of Prussia believed that the reign of Charles the 
Sixth closed much less brilliantly than it had begun, 
because of the death of Prince Eugene. Some years 
later, when that Prussian ruler declared war against 
Austria, and Silesia soon fell into his hands, the 
imperial chancellor, von Sinzendorff, who had so 
often opposed Eugene's counsels, is said to have 
declared, in his anxiety, "If Eugene were only alive 
we should know what to do!" Of course, no one 
can tell whether Eugene would have had better 
success if he had been opposed to Frederick, but it 
is certain that Austria could not produce a second 
Eugene from among her many warriors and states- 
men. He remained ''the only," ''the great Eugene." 

The last campaigns against the French (1734- 
1735) had shattered his already much impaired 
health. He was troubled with a bad cough, so that 
for days together he was not able to speak a word. 

[1411 



PRINCE EUGENE 



Then a short period of relief would come, so that he 
could attend to public and private business or spend 
an hour with some old friend. One of his favorite 
recreations was to visit the venerable and gifted 
Hungarian Countess Batthiany of an evening for 
a game of piquet. His closed carriage passed slowly 
through the streets, and the horses are said to have 
known the house and to have stopped there of their 
own accord. But very likely no one would get out, 
for the master, the coachman, and the servant were 
all napping. Each one had then to be aroused 
separately, which no doubt caused a great deal of 
merriment each time. He had become very old and 
tired. The hardships of war had greatly weakened 
him, and the eighteen wounds which he had received 
in fourteen great battles and countless skirmishes 
also counted against him. He had passed the limit 
which the sacred book sets to human life. 

On the twentieth of April, 1736, he had had his 
game of cards as usual in the society of the Countess 
Batthiany, but had been exceptionally quiet. On 
his arrival at home he complained that breathing 
was difficult, but refused to see a doctor and went 
to bed! About midnight, when his faithful old ser- 
vant went in once more to look after his beloved 
master, he found him sleeping quietly, and softly 
withdrew. The next morning the servant noticed 
that his master was sleeping unusually late, also 
[142] 



LAST DAYS 



that he had not heard him cough. So he opened 
the door and approached the Prince's bed. He was 
dead; a congestion of the lungs had quietly ended 
his active and useful life. 

When the news of the Prince's demise became 
known in Vienna, it produced general dismay and 
deep mourning. No one was more deeply grieved 
than the Emperor. He gave orders for a funeral 
such as no Austrian subject had ever had before, 
to honor the hero. "It shall serve to show," said 
the Emperor, *'that the services of the departed 
shall never be forgotten by me." 

Almost the whole population of Vienna flocked 
to see the Prince as he lay in state. Fourteen 
Field-Marshals were the pall-bearers, and the grate- 
ful Emperor himself attended the funeral services 
in the Cathedral of Saint Stephen. The eloquent 
Father Peickart preached the sermon on the text: 
"And departing, he has left us an example in his 
death which should be an inspiration to virtue, for 
the young as well as the old." 



[143] 



The following is a chronological statement of the 
principal events in the life of Prince Eugene: 

1663 Born at Paris. 

1683 Enters Austrian Service against the Turks. 

i688 Major-General at Siege of Belgrade. 

1691 Campaign in Italy. 

1697 Defeats the Turks at Zenta. 

1699 Treaty of Peace with the Turks. 

1701 Campaign in Italy. 

1704 Victory at Blenheim. 

1706 Defeat of the French. 

1707 Received Government of Milanese. 

1708 In Command in Flanders. 

1709 Battle of Malplaquet. 
1712 Invasion of France. 

1 7 14 Treaty of Peace with France. 

1716 Defeat of the Turks. 

1717 Battle of Belgrade. 

1718 Appointed Vicar-General of Italy. 
1728 Campaign in France. 

1735 Peace with France. 

1736 Death of Eugene. 



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